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Black Widow Vs. Brown Recluse Spiders

There aren’t many spiders that pose a strong threat to humans. Even though many of them aren’t threatening to us, many people are afraid of them. There are however, a couple of spiders that can bite humans and inject venom that has some unfortunate side effects. The black widow and brown recluse are two spider species that you really should avoid. Their bites can cause serious problems. Eagle Pest Services is going to compare the two bites and effects they have on humans.

 

Black Widow Spider Identification

Black widow spiders can vary from dark brown to black. They are most often identified by the red hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen. Their leg span can be 1-2 inches long. Black widows are known for spinning very large webs. They actually spin the largest webs of the web spinning spiders.

 

Brown Recluse Spider Identification

Brown recluse spiders vary in color from light tan to dark brown. They are most often identified by the fact that they have only six eyes and a violin shaped marking on their chests, making them a fiddle-back spider. They have to have both characteristics since some spiders have one but not the other. They are the only spiders with both.

 

How Do Black Widow Spider Bites Differ from that of Brown Recluse Spiders?

Often times, when you are bitten by a spider, you don’t realize it right away. You will notice the bite after symptoms start to develop. Here is a rundown of the symptoms caused by each spider.

Brown Recluse Bite Symptoms - When bitten by a brown recluse spider, you will notice redness and swelling at the injection site. This usually begins around 10 minutes after you get bitten. Over the course of 24-48 hours you may notice a red rash, and if there was a high amount of venom injected, you could experience fever and chills much like the flu. A blister will form in the center of the bite and turn into an ulcer that could lead to tissue necrosis, or death of the tissue around the bite. In rare cases, severe symptoms like kidney failure, difficulty breathing, or even death can occur.

Black Widow Bite Symptoms - Unlike the brown recluse, black widow spiders don’t always inject venom when they bite you. If they do, the most common symptom is muscle cramps. A red ring will appear around the bite. Some other symptoms might include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing and weakness. Sometime abdominal pain is very severe and people mistake it for more serious illnesses like pancreatitis.

 

Black Widow & Brown Recluse Spider Control

If you have any symptoms of a bite from either of these spiders, you should seek medical attention. Most people don’t have severe symptoms, but you will want to make sure you aren’t one of those few that does. Because of the risk these spiders pose to humans, you should always contact Eagle Pest Services in the case of an infestation. With trained and knowledgeable pest control technicians that can eliminate the risk of black widow and brown recluse spider infestations. Call for an appointment today!