For a large number of Americans, every species of spider is worthy of fear. Even if you don’t suffer from
arachnophobia, you can at least understand why so many do. Spiders have eight creepy crawly legs,
fangs, venom, and an abhorrent number of eyes. Despite all these qualities, only a few species the world
over are potentially dangerous to humans. Of these, only two reside naturally in the United States of
America. Widely known as the black widow and brown recluse, they may be small, but their venomous
bite carries within it the power to stop you dead in your tracks. Needless to say, you’ll want keep these
arachnids far away from your Buckeye property, and the first step toward doing that is knowing
how to identify them.
Where You Might Find The Black Widow Spider
Of the two poisonous spider species in America, the black widow is definitely the more well-
known, primarily due to the archetype of the femme fatale often making reference to the name of
the black widow, or the signature red hourglass symbol from the underside of its abdomen.
Whether outside or in, the black widow prefers to hide away in dark, dry, and shady places such
as corners or crevices in barns, boxes, basements, decks, porches, and patios. On occasion, they
also like to hide amongst wood logs to look for prey.
Despite their predatory association, black widows know their place in the animal kingdom and
the predator/prey hierarchy — that is to say, they don’t go out of their way to attack humans.
However, if they feel threatened or attacked, they will use their neurotoxic bite, which can be
even stronger than a rattlesnake's, as a defense mechanism. It is absolutely critical to seek
medical attention immediately if you fear you have been bitten by a black widow.
The Key Identifiers Of The Brown Recluse Spider
Compared to the black widow, the brown recluse is not only lesser-known, but much easier to
misidentify. It has no striking shades of black or red, and no bold, easy-to-identify hourglass
symbol. The closest the recluse does have, perhaps its most defining feature, is a darker, violin-
shaped mark on its underside and a primarily brown body with solid yellow-brown legs.
The brown recluse can be found usually in drier, shady areas. Their favorite locations for
hanging around are typically wooden, but if indoors, cardboard is a commonly substituted
material, followed by the fabrics of certain clothing items or pieces of furniture. Bites from these
creatures, often given when a hiding place is unknowingly disturbed, can be very dangerous. It is
more than likely a bite from a brown recluse will not be fatal, but they are still very painful and
are likely to ulcerate, so if bitten, please do not hesitate to seek medical attention.
Now that you know the differences, be prepared to take the next step. If you have dangerous
spiders like the black widow or brown recluse on your Buckeye property, the experts at
Triton Pest Control are here to help you. We are known as one the tope pest control providers in Buckeye with a reputation of top customer service, and 100% effective Pest Control treatments. Call us today at (623) 745-3111.