Brown Recluse Spiders on the rise
JACKSON, Tenn. — They are creepy, crawly,some even poisonous and because of the weather, spiders are out earlier than normal. Experts said this is especially true with the extremely venomous, brown recluse. The brown recluse is know for the violin-shaped marking on its back and its venomous bite. These spiders are less than an inch long and typically light brown. Experts say they are attracted to warm dry areas. “Jackson, Tennessee is probably the epicenter of brown recluse spiders,” Dr. Peter Gardner said. “You could not pick a better environment for them.” David Markowski, with Homestead Pest Management, said these spiders will easily make their way inside, and are attracted to forgotten and less traveled parts of your home. “Shake your cloths out.,” Markowski said. “Clothes you haven’t been wearing a lot, because they can get in there and that’s how most people get bit.” If you find a spider like this inside your home, the professionals said the best way to get rid of it is to get a sticky trap and place it inside a dark area of your home. “Put those down and just keep replacing them,” Markowski said. “You’re going to catch them walking around.” Although the bite of a brown recluse spider is poisonous, according to Dr. Peter Gardner with Physicians Quality Care, the wounds usually heal better if left alone, but there are some actions you can take. “You can take some anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen,” Dr. Gardner said. “Soap and water is probably the best. Put a little ice and elevate it.” Although a bite can be easily treated, one resident said they have seen bites from these spiders turn ugly. “I have seen some very nasty injuries because of it,” Tommy Parchman said. “I have seen people lose limbs because of it.” Doctor Gardner also said, if you think you may have been bitten by any type of spider always be sure to clean the area and get it checked out by a physician.
