There are approximately 40 different species of spiders in Arkansas. The good news is that the vast majority of them are not venomous and according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research & Extension, fatalities are rare. However, there are two spiders that you should avoid: the brown recluse and the black widow.
Don't Become a Victim to a Spider Bite This Summer
The black widow can be found throughout the state. You can easily identify them as they have a jet-black body with a red or orange hourglass mark on the underside of the abdomen. Black widows are mostly found in trash, rock piles, and areas with litter. They love outbuildings, sheds, garages, crawl spaces, cellars, and basements. Their venom is 15 times as toxic as the venom of the prairies rattlesnake!1 Fortunately, their bite is much smaller than the rattlesnake.
The brown recluse spider is a medium-sized spider, approximately ¼” to ½” long with a leg span of nearly that of a half-dollar. It is a yellowish-tan to brown with no patterns and the bases of the legs are a yellow-orange color. They like corners and dark niches. Healing from a brown recluse spider bite is slow and can take up to six to eight weeks.
The best way to keep spiders out of your home is to have it professionally treated on a regular schedule. Terminator Termite and Pest Control has highly trained licensed pest control technicians with an average of nine years of experience in the field and a long-standing reputation for customer satisfaction, giving you peace of mind in your choice for all your pest control needs. To keep the spiders out of your home and lower the chance of being bit by a venomous spider, call 479.783.6200 today. Help is only a phone call away!