Brown Recluse Spider in Florida

The brown recluse spider is one of the most feared spiders in Florida. It contains a potentially deadly hemotoxic venom, that can destroy red blood cells, tissue and organs. Although people in the sunshine state have been bitten by the spider, it is not native to Florida. This makes it fairly easy to eradicate infestations.

The Brown recluse spider’s most defining characteristic is its dark violin-shaped marking directly behind the eyes. This spider is equipped with three sets of eyes whereas most other spiders have four. The Brown recluse is a medium-sized spider that is typically between one-quarter and one-half inch in length. They are commonly found in old cardboard boxes, houses, furniture, and other types of buildings.

Brown Recluse Spider

Brown recluse spiders are generally pretty shy and only bite when directly disturbed or pressed upon. Persons bitten usually do not feel any pain for about two hours, then a blister forms around the bite, and the pain becomes intense. The healing from a brown recluse is very slow and can sometimes take six to eight weeks. Any persons suspecting a bite from this spider should consult a physician immediately.

The symptoms most commonly experienced include nausea, vomiting, fever, rashes, and muscle and joint pain. Rarely, such bites can result in red blood cell damage, organ damage, and even death. Usually fatal bites are usually seen in children under the age of seven or those with a weak immune systems.

The majority of brown recluse spider bites do not result in any major symptoms. In some cases the bite forms an ulcer that destroys soft tissue, leaving deep scars. These bites usually become painful and itchy within two to eight hours. Pain and other local effects worsen 12 to 36 hours after the bite, and the necrosis develops over the next few days. The wound eventually could grow as large as ten inches. The damaged tissue becomes gangrenous and eventually decays off the body.

Tampa Bay Pest Management offers free estimates on any bug issue you may be experiencing. Please visit our website at TampaBayPestMgmt.com for more information. You can also contact us at 813-416-3692. We are a family owned and operated pest control company servicing the surrounding Tampa Bay area for over a decade.

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Termite Control Tips

• Repair any roof or plumbing leaks as soon as possible. These leaks can allow termites to survive above ground in a house.
• Eliminate any wood-to-soil contact around your foundation and remove wood debris near your home.
• Prevent mulch and soil from touching the siding of your home. They make it much easier for termites to enter.
• Store firewood away from your home.
• Use mesh screens on all windows and doors, as well as in ventilation openings for attics and crawl spaces.
• Seal nail holes and cracks in exposed wood to help prevent easy access by drywood termites.
• Contract with a professional pest control company to regularly inspect your home. This will help detect termite activity and allow for prompt and proper treatment.

Source: http://www.terminix.com

Wasp Control 101

An experienced pest control service is the best option for wasp or bee control but you can use the following information to help to control them yourself because, although extermination and nest removal may be your end goal, it doesn’t hurt to know some basic do-it-yourself wasp control tips. If something as simple as wearing proper clothing or keeping your garbage sealed can help deter the pests then it is worth doing.

Here are some basic tips to help prevent wasps from finding their way into your home:

• Remove or seal food sources: Wasps are attracted to protein, which explains why they show up at family cookouts. Open garbage cans, pet food, or even scraps left on your grill can draw the pests to your lawn. Sweet foods, like rotting fruit, are also calling cards for wasps. If you have fruit trees on your property, you will need to be extra diligent about cleaning up the fallen produce.
  
  
• Avoid perfume or scented lotions: Sweetly scented lotions and floral perfumes smell like food to a hungry wasp; even scented shampoos can bring you their unwanted attention.
  
  
• Do not squash a wasp: As tempting as it may sound, squashing or stepping on a wasp is bad for wasp control. Once the pest is squashed it releases a scent that acts like a magnet, bringing in more wasps from nearby. These new wasps are likely to be agitated by the scent as well, and therefore more likely to be aggressive.
  
  
• Avoid bright clothing: Bees and wasps are attracted to brightly colored or patterned clothing. Red would be a particularly bad choice to wear at your next neighborhood picnic.
  
  

For professional wasp control services, contact us at 813-416-3692 or info@tampabaypestmgmt.com