A relatively high number of spider species inhabit the state of Texas, some of which are commonly encountered within homes. The spiders most commonly found within San Antonio homes include cellar spiders, cobweb weavers, woodlouse spiders, jumping spiders, and many others that do not pose a medical threat to humans. Unfortunately, a few spider species that do pose a medical threat to humans are found within San Antonio homes frequently during the spring, summer and fall seasons. The only two spiders that medical professionals consider dangerous to humans are black widows and brown recluse spiders, but others, such as yellow sac spiders and brown widows, are also known for inflicting harmful bites within San Antonio homes on rare occasions. Now that the month of April has arrived, brown recluse spiders are reproducing at rapid rates, and pest control professionals as well as public health officials are warning San Antonio residents about the massive increase in dangerous brown recluse bite cases that occur at this time of year within homes in the city.
According to a recent nationwide survey of pest control professionals, the brown recluse spider is the fourth most commonly managed spider species within homes. In addition to being highly venomous and potentially deadly, the brown recluse spider is one of the few spider species that is categorized as a “true house spider,” which means that the species establishes reproductive infestations within homes. A local emergency room physician, Dr. Adriana Segura, states that brown recluse spider bites can result in tissue necrosis, coma and death, and 195 brown recluse bites were reported to medical professionals between January 2014 and April of 2015 in Texas alone. Pest control professionals in San Antonio state that 95 percent of all reported brown recluse bites occur between April and August in the city, and indoor infestations grow exponentially. One particular infestation case saw thousands of adult and baby brown recluse spiders “bleed” from small openings in walls and ceilings. Brown recluse spiders are around ⅜ of an inch in body length, and they can be recognized for their brown color, long legs, and for the fiddle-like design on their cephalothorax (main body). If one brown recluse spider is found indoors, numerous others are also present, which warrants professional pest control intervention
Have you ever spotted a brown recluse spider in your home?
