No one likes spiders. Not even us, and it’s our job to deal with them! Let’s be honest, these creepy crawly guys can stop us dead in our tracks, no matter how tough we think we are. But we believe that the more we know about spiders in Georgia, the better prepared we’ll be, and the more peace of mind we’ll have.
While there are more than 20 species of spiders in Georgia, not all of them should worry us. Many of them are actually more helpful than harmful and can help regulate other pest problems. Most spiders you find in or around your home won’t do more than a small bump if you get bitten. (Of course, seeing any kind of spider in your home is enough to make you freak out, so don’t feel bad if you want to get rid of them – call us if you think you may have a spider problem.)
Here are a few things to know about each so you can sleep at night!
How to identify them:
Black Widows are considered to be the most venomous spider in North America and are also known for their aggression, so it’s important to watch out for them! They’re a glossy black and are easily identified by their red hourglass shapes on their abdomens. They also spin the largest webs, so you can typically identify their presence by coming across one of these bad boys.
Where they live:
Black Widows prefer dark, cool, moist areas. Watch out for them in your shed, garage, basement, crawl space, and under stones and wood piles. Be sure to thoroughly inspect these areas before moving anything with your hands, or wear protective gloves.
What happens if you get bitten:
Like we said, Black Widows can be very aggressive. They’re very possessive of their webs and will attack if they feel they’re in danger, and their painful bites can actually be fatal in many cases — especially to youngsters and the elderly. Even the smallest amount of venom can cause harmful effects, so it’s important to seek medical treatment immediately. Typical side-effects of a bite include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hypertension. The good news is there’s an effective anti-venom, so if caught early, a bite can be treated.
How to identify them:
Brown Recluse spiders aren’t very aggressive, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want to stay away from them. They’re typically about the size of a quarter and range in color from yellow to dark brown. The best way to identify them is by looking for a violin-shaped pattern on the neck or six eyes separated into three pairs.
Where they live:
You can typically find the Brown Recluse in dark, warm, dry areas. That means your attic, shed, closet, barn, or woodpile could be prime spots for one of these guys.
What happens if you get bitten:
The Brown Recluse can cause severe damage to your skin if you get bitten, so it’s important to stay away from them as often as you can! They don’t typically hurt or show symptoms right away, but if you suspect you may have gotten bitten, watch out for red, swollen skin around the bite. This may eventually turn into a blister and begin to itch. After about a week, it may begin to develop an open ulcer, which could later cause a red rash all over your body if not treated immediately. It’s important to seek medical treatment as soon as you can, as a Brown Recluse bite can be severely toxic to humans, causing significant injury and even tissue loss and necrosis (AKA destruction of blood cells and tissues).
Knowing how to identify spiders in Georgia can save a life and help put you at ease. Next time you see a spider, try to identify it before eliminating it. This can help you discover any potential threats (if you find one poisonous spider, there may be another lurking close by), and also help you decide if you need treatment.
If you think you have a spider problem (or you just really hate eliminating spiders yourself), don’t hesitate to call us. We’ll come tackle the problem and help you understand what kinds of spiders are in your home — and whether or not you need to worry! Call us: 706-979-2536.
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