Brown Recluse
Back
See
ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2061.htmlThe violin or fiddle shape on its back easily identifies this spider. That is why it is sometimes called a “Fiddle back” spider. These spiders get their name from the way they hunt prey. They basically hide and wait until a prey item walks by then they ambush the prey. Outside harborage areas include landscape rock areas, stone retaining walls, utility boxes, firewood piles, under wood or leaf debris, rodent bait stations, or any other place where there is a steady food source nearby. Inside the home or structure their reclusive naturfinds them in areas of seldom-used items. These areas include off-season clothing or item storage areas, in garages behind work- benches, tools, or storage bins and shelving, inside or behind file boxes. Their first instinct upon disruption is to back down and move away from the threat. Bites occur when seldom used clothing or shoes are put on and the spider is in a danger situation. Another common bite situatio
is when reaching for boxes or other items that have not been used in a while. Sometimes bites occur when a person rolls over on the spider in bed.
Their reclusive nature has allowed them to live in homes and structures and not even be discovered for years. In commercial buildings these spiders are most likely found in heat tunnels, boiler rooms, attics, basements, storage, electrical, and mechanical rooms, and garages or other infrequently used areas.
These spiders are a health concern to people due to the fact the bites can range from no reaction to areas of skin, tissue, and possible bone deteriation leaving permanent scarring. Typical reactions may include an immediate stinging sensation followed by intense pain, which could last 6-8 hours after the bite. A small blister usually appears and the surrounding bite area becomes swollen. Symptoms include restlessness, fever, and difficulty in sleeping. The dead tissue deteriates away over the next 10-14 days. This leaves an open ulc on
possibly exposing the underlying muscles or bone. Healing is very slow, taking up to weeks for recovery, and usually leaving dense scar tissue. In severe cases plastic surgery may be required. Call a physician or go to an emergency room immediately if bitten for further diagnosis or treatment. If possible, take the spider along for positive identification.
Control is concentrated on the interior of the structure. Exterior treatment is very crucial on the first visit to minimize current food sources and harborage sites for both spider and prey. The only true way to control spiders is with a direct liquid contact or physical capture i.e. glueboards. You can’t control them with bait and you can’t control them with a granule. Treatment can be with a residual or contact aerosol or with a residual concentrate liquid. Sometimes a light application of insecticide dust can be applied to an area you do want them in. What makes spiders so difficult to control is that their body is elevated off the surface and they walk on small hooks on the bottom of their legs. The hooks are similar to our fingernails. Spiders don’t pick up the material by dragging their body across the surface like crawling insects do. This can be a difficult spider to control due to its reclusive nature. Thorough and repeated treatments need to
done on a monthly basis. Inspection of the glueboards will let you know when to stop the treatments.
Control is a multi step process. Try to remove as much excess leaf and wood debris to minimize harborage sites for spiders and potential prey. Repair any gaps, cracks, or holes on the exterior of the structure to minimize entryways and harborage sites. Replace any worn, loose,
or missing weather stripping around doors and windows. Also check for any worn doorway threshold areas and repair or replace as needed. Remember spiders do serve a purpose to control insects and other small pests until they become a nuisance themselves. On small household
spiders sometimes it is just as easy to remove them through normal cleaning procedures.
For quick control of the ones you see use an aerosol product. They come in both contact and residual types. Residual products leave behind material to remain active for a further length of time. Residual products include items such as
Cy- Kick 17.5 oz. can,
Invader HPX 14 oz. can, and
D-Force HPX 14 oz. can. Contact products include items such as
PI 18 oz. can,
PT 565 Plus 20 oz. can,
CB 80 Extra 17oz.can. These aerosol products can be used to provide control in void areas.
Liquid residual concentrates are mixed with water at label rates as needed. This method gets the treated area to a “neutral” condition where no spiders or insects are present. This would include areas such as foundation perimeter and landscape edging and rocks. The drawback is
that after 2 or 3 sprinkler cycles, a rain, or heavy dew the material is diluted to the point of ineffectiveness and nothing is there to
provide continued control. If you use this method to control spiders and ants or other insects at the same time, afterwards you may want
treat with a weather resistant particle bait such as Niban to provide continued control for non-spider pests that could serve as a steady
food source. Residual concentrate products include
Demand CS 8 oz. or
Demand CS 1 qt.,
Suspend SC 1 pt.,
Tempo SC 240 ml,
Tempo Ultra WP 420 gram btl,
Talstar Pro 1 pt. or
Talstar Pro ¾ gal,
Viper 4 oz.,
Demon WP 4-9.5 gram bags per pk,
Demon WP 1 lb. jar,
Demon EC 1 pt.,
Cy-Kick CS 1 pt. or
Cy-Kick CS 120 oz..
Viper RTU is a ready to use pre mixed product in a 1 gal. Container with a handy sprayer attached to a 1-foot hose.
These materials can be applied with a
1 gal. Poly Sprayer or a
2 gal. Poly Sprayer. For foundation perimeter application or yard application use a
Gilmour Hose End Sprayer Model 486 or a
Gilmour Hose End Sprayer Model 362. A lot of these products are labeled for inside use as well. Treat baseboard areas, cabinet kick plate areas, and the bottom of exterior doorway areas. This may need to be done on a monthly frequency until the problem is under control.
Before applying the liquid residual around the foundation perimeter apply insecticide dust in the weep holes and other void areas such as gaps, cracks, holes or other areas along the outside to control spiders running to these areas in escape of the liquid treatments. Another great area to apply the dust is behind the kick plate area under interior cabinets or between them if accessible. The attic would also need to be treated because this can be a good harborage area due to this being a secluded non-activity area. The dust is best applied in t attic with a Gilmour 1 lb.
Pump Duster Model D1. Insecticide dust products include
Delta Dust 1 lb. btl,
Delta Dust 5 lb. btl,
Borid 1 lb. btl, or
Borid 5lb. btl. The insecticide dust is best applied in non-attic areas with a
Crusader Hand Duster. The dust works by applying a light amount in the target area. The pest then walks across it, picks
it up on their body and ingests the dust as they groom themselves. The dust is a stomach poison and control is completed in this manner. If
too big of a placement is applied they will avoid the area.
Copper mesh in the weep holes is a good way to minimize spider and insect entryways into this area. Since it is made of copper it won’t leave streaks down the foundation and the mesh is wide enough to allow adequate ventilation behind the bricks. This includes products such
as
Stuff-fit Copper Mesh 20 ft. roll,
Stuf-fit Copper Mesh 20 ft. Precut, and
Stuf-fit Copper Mesh 100 ft. Roll.
A secondary approach to control is to try and minimize the spider’s food source, which is any insect activity. Most all insects forage
around the foundation grass line area in search of food or better harborage. Foundation perimeter treatment is a part of the overall
treatment also. Use these Niban products for the foundation grass line, landscape areas, and/or yard areas. These sizes more suited to
outside applications
Niban Insect Bait 5 lb. Shaker Bag, or
Niban Insect Bait 40 lb. Bag. A handy
Bulb Duster Filler Funnel makes filling the bulb duster easy for repeated applications. Remember the particles are weather resistant through up to 4 inches of water. This bait works well through sprinkler cycles, rain, or heavy dew.
Glueboards are a good tool to use because they serve to control the spiders or insects and monitor for activity. If any is found observe which way the pest is captured. This will allow you to backtrack to find possible harborage areas or entryways. Place out a lot of glueboards for control. Placement areas include water heater closets, linen and clothes closets, pantry areas, under beds, dressers, and other large items such as washer, dryer, and refrigerator. They could also be folded up and placed behind draperies. The idea is place a
of these out for control and monitor. We carry
Catchmaster CM MB 72 72 ct box,
Catchmaster CM MB 72 8 ct pk, or
Trapper LTD 72 ct box.
Always read and follow label directions. For additional information call Do It Yourself Pest Control Supplies at 972-562-9999, 903-891-8818, or 866-562-8999.
