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If you see spiders around your home, do not immediately be alarmed. While spiders can bite humans, many have fangs too short to pierce human skin, or their venom is too weak to affect you. If you're deciding whether to call an exterminator and whether to visit the doctor for a bite, here's what you should know.

How to Tell If You Have a Spider Bite

People often blame a spider bite for unrelated problems like an infection or a bite from another bug. The surest way to know whether you need an exterminator is if you see the spider. The two most dangerous are black widows and brown recluse. Black widows have a red hourglass shape on their abdomen, while a brown recluse is a sandy brown with no unique markings. Aside from that, you can usually tell by the symptoms.

If you see either of these spiders, call an exterminator immediately. A black widow bite is painful and causes swelling over a large area. It can also give you nausea and stomach cramps and may cause sweating. A brown recluse bite is painful and causes fever, chills, and body aches. The area at the center of the bite can develop an open ulcer, which can grow wider for up to ten days after the bite happens.

Besides the brown recluse and the black widow, most spiders will only cause an itchy bump like a mosquito bite, if they can bite you at all.

Treatments for Spider Bites

ExterminatorIf you know you've been bitten by a spider, but you couldn’t catch or identify it, going to the doctor is a recommended precaution. They'll monitor your condition and treat you as needed. You should also go if you've been bitten by a black widow, as they can offer muscle relaxants to combat cramps and antivenom to neutralize the toxins. There is no antivenom for a brown recluse bite, and the bite itself will usually heal on its own. However, if you develop a skin ulcer from the bite, you should seek treatment for that to minimize its spread and make it heal faster. Finally, if you feel short of breath after the bite, you may be having an allergic reaction and should get treatment as soon as possible. For all other bites, wash it with soap and water to prevent infections. Elevate the area and apply an ice pack to reduce swelling, and take an antihistamine to relieve itching.

 

If you're worried about spiders in your home and need an exterminator for pest control, call Leitchfield Exterminating in Grayson County, KY. With over 40 years of experience, they're the oldest independent operator in the state. They offer certified exterminator services, including installing Sentricon® termite colony elimination systems. To learn more about their services, visit the website, or call (270) 234-1295.

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