Spiders
Most spiders are not only harmless to humans but are also beneficial. They help to keep insect populations under control. Without them we could be over run with insects!
There are several spiders
in the United States which can cause serious injury to people so they are
considered to be vectors. The most
common is the
Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus
hesperus). It is sometimes called the Hour Glass Spider because of the sometimes visible red hourglass figure on the underside of the abdomen.
The spider has venom which reportedly 15 times more toxic than a
rattlesnake's. The most susceptible victims
are children and the
elderly, however, even a healthy adult
may experience severe illness and
trauma. The spider's toxic
venom, secretive habits and initially painless
bite make it
particularly dangerous. Bites generally occur while working in the garage or yard - for instance, while cleaning up a wood pile or reaching
behind or under an object. Because the Black Widow Spider prefers dark and
seldom disturbed areas, these are the areas where control efforts should be
concentrated. Once these areas are identified, use precautions when
clearing the area or treating with an over the counter insecticide.
The Brown Recluse commonly
known as the "violin spider" because of the black violin-shaped
marking on its back, its light to medium brown body with long legs. The
spider is incredibly dangerous but is not found in Shasta County. These "violin spiders" may be found in any number of
places around the home: discarded boxes; refuse piles; among piles of
newspapers; in darker
corners of hallways, bedrooms, and basements; the attic; firewood piles (often under the bark); under rocks; even in old
clothes which have not been worn for a while. In fact, the most likely way to be bitten
by a Brown Recluse is to put on old clothes, trapping the spider near the
skin. For the most part, however, the Brown Recluse will run away and hide
when disturbed, thus earning its name.
The
principle injury inflicted by the Brown Recluse is the severe tissue damage which occurs at the site of
the
bite. Envenomization causes the area to
swell up as the underlying cells are killed and sloughed off. The pain is severe and may last several weeks of
healing. Most victims develop a "scoop-like" scar at
the bite area which may be as small as a dime or
as large as a dollar bill.
For More Information:
(530) 365-3768
For Brochures about black widows and other vector-related subjects follow this link.