Brown Recluse Or Black Widow; Which Katy Spider Is More Dangerous?
Close up picture of a Spider
|

Brown Recluse Or Black Widow; Which Katy Spider Is More Dangerous?

The world is filled with spiders. Fortunately for us, most of those spiders are completely harmless to us. Some occasionally bite us but only leave a small red welt. In North America, there are only two spiders that are considered dangerous. We're going to take a look at them today and leave it to you to decide which is more dangerous.

Brown Recluse Spiders

There are several species of brown recluse spiders but the most common is Loxosceles reclusa. This species is tannish brown, visibly hairless and has a brown violin shape on its back, just below the head. The stem of the violin marking runs down the back toward the tail end of the spider. Here are the reasons this spider is dangerous:

  • The venom of a brown recluse has necrotic properties. If the necrosis spreads, it can lead to a disfiguring wound.

  • A brown recluse spider bite can appear like an itchy rash with a small ulcer at the center, while necrosis is slowly spreading underneath the skin.

  • Brown recluse are common home invaders that are able to reproduce inside a home.

  • In extreme infestations, between 4,500 and 6,000 spiders have been found infesting man-made structures.

  • Brown recluse spiders are reclusive and don't prefer to bite humans. Bites usually occur when spider populations increase and contact with the spiders becomes more frequent.  

Black Widow Spiders

There are several species of black widow spiders in Texas, the species we see most often in Katy is Latrodectus mactans. These are shiny black spiders with a recognizable red hourglass-shape on the bottom of the abdomen.  

  • The venom of a black widow spider can lead to a hospital visit, depending on how much venom the spider injects. If a black widow is trapped or threatened, it will inject more venom than if it crawls on the skin and is slightly startled.

  • Symptoms of black widow spider bites can be severe but death is rare due to fast access to medical treatment.

  • These spiders don't prefer to live in man-made structures. They are most often found outside or in barns, sheds, and outbuildings.

  • Inside a home, black widow spiders stay in attics, basements and other secluded areas of low traffic.

  • Outside, these spiders can often be found hiding in brush piles.

So, what do you think? Which is more dangerous? The experts here at Modern Pest Control consider brown recluse spiders to be more of a threat simply because of their ability to infest a home in great numbers. But it is important to learn how to prevent all venomous spiders from invading your Katy home. And, remember that the team at Modern Pest Control is always available to help you get control of spiders with industry-leading pest control. Reach out to us anytime for assistance. Katy, TX pest control is also available. Contact us today.

Residential Pest Control For Spiders In Katy 

When it comes to spiders, there is only one reliable way to keep your property protected long-term: ongoing professional pest management. In addition to handling spiders directly, ongoing pest control will also prevent the types of insects and animals that could serve as spider food. 

Pest problems can show up at your front door at any point, which is why at Modern Pest Control, we provide year-round pest control in Katy. Our family-owned business has been working with homeowners like you since we were established in 1952. In order to keep your home pest-free, we target our services toward the exact pests that you face rather than ones that haven’t become an issue yet. 

When we inspect your property, our technicians will look for signs of pests as well as discuss with you what you’ve noticed around your home. Our findings will determine the treatments that we employ, but regardless, we always work to address pests from the root cause. If you require any follow-up services within your given warranty, we will provide them at no additional cost. We also offer homeowners the option of preventive services for pests like bees and spiders and have a vast list of specific pests that we can address. For more information on our residential pest control process, please call us today. 

Share To: