Spiders are pretty infamous, and a plethora of people in Illinois have arachnophobia, which essentially means they fear spiders. But the question is, are spiders merely insects that people do not want to get a sight of inside their home, or are they really dangerous for us humans, our pets, and our property?
If you spot a spider inside your home, there can probably be more of them hiding somewhere in corners and abandoned regions of your house. Thus, it is suggested that Exterminator Services in Mascoutah be opted to get rid of spider infestation and install barriers to prevent them from entering again anytime soon.
What If A Spider Bites You?
Every two out of three American homes have spiders, and virtually all of them produce some level of venom. But, out of over 45,000 species of spider that exist, merely a handful of them bite. And even out of those that do bite, fewer inject poison that is strong enough to be life-threatening.
The household spiders rarely bite, and that too in self-defense, which generally causes merely mild reactions like:
- Pain emerging from the site of the bite
- Itching or rash
- Reddish to purplish color or blister.
The more severe symptoms may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Sweating
- Fever and chills
- Restlessness or anxiety
- Nausea, headache, or vomiting
- High blood pressure
Are Spiders Harmful for People?
The short answer to it is: they can be.
The venom from spiders is designed to paralyze insects and other small animals so that they can feed on them. Humans, on the other hand, are pretty bigger than spiders, apparently, so the damage is typically minor if they manage to break the skin.
But what about them as disease vectors? A study by the University of California showed that spiders do not cause bacterial infections in humans.
Now, all of this does not mean that people do not die from spider bites. It is just that such instances are rare.
According to the CDC, there are two species of spiders found in North America that are dangerous for humans: the Brown Recluse and the Black Widow. If one of these bugs bites a human, it can be painful and potentially lethal, especially for people with allergies.
Are Spiders Harmful for Pets?
Spiders are more harmful to pets than humans and pose the same risk to them. Since dogs and cats generally weigh less than humans, a bite from a brown recluse or a black widow can be about 15 times more impactful. If your pets show symptoms like vomiting, muscle paralysis, tremors, or diarrhea, take them to a veterinarian immediately.
Moreover, if your pet ate a poisonous spider, acids present in the stomach will probably neutralize the toxins. But still, keep a close eye on your pets for a day or two, and if they show signs of illness, call the veterinarian.
Do Spiders Damage Yards and Homes?
Spiders do make cobwebs throughout your entire basement, but other than that, they do not cause any damage to the structures. In the yard, they feed on those bugs that feed on plants, and it is one of the reasons you should not kill spiders there. They are a significant predator of insects and, therefore, provide a vital service to the ecosystem.
Ron Crawford, who is essentially a renowned resident spider expert at the Burke Museum, says that if someone who is phobic of spiders gets to wave a magic wand and eliminate all spiders from the surface of our planet, it would not be long before the entire human agriculture becomes impossible. Our species, along with numerous other non-insect invertebrates, may even be extinct.
What To Do If There Are Spiders in Your Home?
The most effective approach to getting rid of spiders from your property is calling pest control professionals to take care of the spider infestation. Spiders can hide in places that you cannot even think of. Professionals do a proper inspection of the property and then apply the appropriate treatment required to remove them.
