This is a tricky question to answer. While brown recluse spiders definitely have the potential to cause you or your family harm, the risk is actually much lower than you might think. We certainly don't advocate allowing brown recluse spiders to live in your home, but we also don't want you to be fearful of them. Let's take a few minutes to break down the simple facts about brown recluse spiders in Tampa.
The Bottom Line
Brown recluse spiders have venom that can cause necrosis. If this necrosis spreads through skin tissue, it can create a disfiguring wound. The greatest risk is if one of these spiders bites you in a sensitive location, such as near your eye, while you're sleeping. Fortunately, this is very rare, but we'll get into that in a moment. What you need to know is that it is possible to be harmed by a brown recluse spider. While the risk is low, it is important to be aware of it. We don't want even one person to be harmed by these spiders.
How Bad Is A Brown Recluse Bite?
It is estimated that 80 percent of brown recluse bites do not amount to more than a small, irritating wound with an ulcer at the center. Those are pretty good odds. If you find an ulcerous bite on your skin or know that a brown recluse spider has bitten you, we recommend that you seek medical attention and have your physician monitor the wound, but you don't need to be fearful.
How Likely Are You To Be Bitten By A Brown Recluse?
These are reclusive spiders. They may be living in secluded spaces within your Tampa home. It will take a while for the population to grow large enough for these spiders to start appearing in your common areas. When they do, however, it can be a little scary. They can come down from ceiling vents and drop in on you while you're taking a shower or brushing your teeth. They can land on your bed or go zipping down the wall behind your tv. Fortunately, they won't stay in your common areas for long.
If you encounter a brown recluse spider, the spider will likely try to move away from you. It won't chase you down and bite you. Bites usually occur when recluse spiders are accidentally brought into contact with the skin. Here are a few examples:
When you use a towel that has a spider on it.
When you pick up a piece of clothing that a brown recluse spider was using as a cave.
When you accidentally slide into bed with a spider.
When you put your foot into a shoe that has a spider hiding in it.
How Common Are Brown Recluse Spiders In Tampa?
According to the Florida Poison Control network, most of the reported cases of brown recluse bites are from the Tampa area. Out of the 182 cases reported in Florida in one year, 96 of the cases were in the Tampa region, but we should point out that these reports may not be linked to actual brown recluse bites. Many necrotic wounds are blamed on these spiders, but researchers believe that a large number are not likely due to the venom of brown recluse spiders. Research is ongoing. As of this writing, there have not been one brown recluse species collected in Tampa. There don't appear to be any breeding spiders in exterior Tampa habitats. All cases of reproducing spiders seem to be indoors. Therefore, it is important to consider these spiders as hitchhiking pests rather than spiders that come into your home from your yard.
How To Mitigate The Threat Of Venomous Spiders
If you have found a brown recluse spider in your Tampa home or you are concerned about venomous spiders in the Tampa area, the best solution is to seek the assistance of a licensed pest professional. A professional pest control technician will select and apply control products to ensure that no spiders are in your home, making it more difficult for spiders to gain entry to your home.
Tampa Brown Recluse Spider Control
If you have questions about spider control in Tampa, or you'd like to request service for your home, reach out to us here at Bold Servicing. We offer targeted spider control services and ongoing residential pest control for the exterior of your home. We can get those spiders out and keep them out. While brown recluse spiders aren't nearly as dangerous as you've probably heard, you're going to sleep better knowing that these, and other potentially harmful pests, are staying outside where they belong. Connect with us today. We're here to help.