Creole Health: Preventing Spider Bites

Creole Health:  Preventing Spider Bites

Precaution and Understand Can Prevent Painful Experiences

November 5, 2007

by Jamie Sias
ZHPS Member
















Spiders are often misunderstood creatures and most people are afraid of spiders. However, there are only a few species in the United States that are dangerous to humans. Whether at home, work, school, or doing outdoor activities, we all should be very concerned about three species of spiders. They are:

• the Black Widow spider (Latrodectus mactans)
• Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles reclusa)
• and the aggressive House/Hobo spider (Tegenaria agrestis).

First aid for spider bites

If you are bitten by a spider, Here is some helpful advice:

• Wash the area around the bite.

• Calm the victim and consult a doctor as soon as possible. The very young, the elderly and sick, and people with high blood pressure are particularly at risk.

• If possible, capture the spider so it can be taken to a doctor. Proper treatment may depend on identifying the species. Even the squashed remains of the spider can be useful for identification purposes.

Educate Yourself to Prevent spider bites

• Shake out clothing and shoes before getting dressed.

• Inspect bedding and towels before use.

• Wear gloves and long sleeve clothing when handling firewood, lumber, and rocks (be sure to inspect the gloves for spiders before putting them on).

• Remove bedskirts and storage boxes from underneath beds. Move the bed away from the wall.

• Exercise care when handling cardboard boxes (recluse spiders often are found in the space under folded cardboard flaps).

• Teach children not to tease spiders in their webs or poke at them, and not to put their hands in dark crevices without looking first.

• Explain the dangers of spider bites without exaggeration to avoid unnecessary fears.

Spider Proof your Environment

Control of insects and spiders in your environment can take a long time and can be difficult. A change in behavior is required along with following several preventative measures. Some of there preventative measures (integrated pest management of IPM) are:

Exclusion

• Install tight-fitting screens on windows and doors; also install door sweeps.

• Seal or caulk cracks and crevices where spiders can enter the house.

• Install yellow or sodium vapor light bulbs outdoors since these attract fewer insects for spiders to feed upon.

• Tape the edges of cardboard boxes to prevent spider entry.

• Use plastic bags (sealed) to store loose items in the garage, basement, and attic.

Sanitation

• Remove trash, old boxes, old clothing, wood piles, rock piles, and other unwanted items.

• Eliminate clutter in closets, basements, attics, garages, and outbuildings.

• Keep attics and basements ventilated to reduce moisture, thus reducing the amount of prey insects available as a food source for spiders

• Do not stack wood against the house and keep the grass cut.

• Clean up dead insects that the brown recluse spider can feed on.

Non-chemical control

•Use sticky traps or glueboards to capture spiders.
•Dust and vacuum thoroughly to remove spiders, webs, and egg sacs (dispose of the vacuum bag in a container outdoors).
•Use a rolled up newspaper or fly swatter to kill individual spiders.

Insecticides

There are many labeled pesticides for spider control. Some are labeled for homeowner use, while others are labeled only for the licensed, certified pesticide applicator.

Insecticide treatments should be applied so that the chemical contacts as many spiders and webs as possible. It would be prudent to enlist the services of a professional pest management company when dealing with an indoor infestation of the brown recluse spider.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS 

FOR SAFE USE OF ANY PESTICIDE!

Jamie Sias is a fourth year Medical Student at L.S.U. Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana and Zydeco Historical & Preservation Society Member and Organizer.

2:26 PM