Potentially Deadly Spiders Crawl through the Midland

Potentially deadly spiders are likely making their way through our homes right now. According to Children`s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, 70 percent of homes--new or old--have brown recluse spiders. It`s one of two spiders in the United States that can kill people. Knowing how to identify these creepy crawlers could save your life. The brown recluse and black widow spiders are most prevalent from April through October. Their venom-inducing bites can maim and even kill. "The brown recluse spider likes to stay in quiet areas, so it does make its web in attics, basements, closets that aren`t in use, storage areas, so this time of year when you go to move your spring stuff or whatever, it is a good idea to shake it away from you," Dr. Gary Wasserman, medical toxicologist at Children`s Mercy, says. Exterminator Terry Brand inspects a closet, searching crevices and clothes for concealed recluse spiders. "The inspection is the critical part of the treatment. You have to be very thorough and go through closets and underneath furniture, in the furniture, in the tucks and folds of the furniture, under the beds," Brand says. Dr. Wasserman says the meat-eaters want to save their venom for enemies. The recluse has a violin-like design on its back. Its bite looks like other insect bites at first, but then... "What`s different about brown recluse spider bite, is that it actually kills the skin, so you get dead area of the skin or a big bruised area rather than a typical red bump," Dr. Wasserman says. Black widows have an hourglass figure on their underside. Doctors recommend seeking immediate attention if you experience vomitting, headache, fever, or muscle aches after you are bitten by either spider. The good news is prevention is possible. Exterminators and doctors say make it hard on the spider to reach you at night. "Make sure the blankets and the sheets don`t touch the floor--make it hard for them to climb up the leg of the bed--don`t put your clothes on the floor, try to tell the kids that all the time," Dr. Wasserman says. "Simple things that homeowners can use as well are glue traps," Brand says. If you see you`re catching spiders, call in a professional. Warm, mild winters are to blame for our bumper crop of spiders. And, the number we see is actually one-tenth of what`s out there.