Most spiders are harmless except for the black widow and brown recluse. These spiders are common during warm climates. You can find them in undisturbed environments like closets, under sinks, and in basements, attics and wood piles.

Similarities and Differences between Black Widow Spiders and Brown Recluse Spiders

Spider Bite Dangers

A bite from a black widow spider is fatal as it affects your nervous system. It produces an extremely potent neurotoxin protein. Symptoms include abdominal pain, tremor, muscle cramps, and weakness. Severe symptoms include faintness, chest pain, vomiting, respiratory difficulties, nausea, and dizziness.

A bite from the brown recluse spider is toxic to tissues and cells. It produces venom that is more potent than a rattlesnake’s. But since it releases only a little amount of poison into its victim, it causes less damage than rattlesnake bites do. Symptoms include minor stinging, severe itching, fever, vomiting, muscle pain, and severe pain at the bite site.

Poisonous Spider Habits

Black widow spiders are nocturnal. They prefer dark areas and are active at night. They usually avoid houses where people live. However, they can be found in your garage or sheds. Only the female black widow spider bites when it is disturbed.

Brown recluse spiders aren’t aggressive. They prefer warm and dark environments like barns, woodpiles, attics, basements, and closets. They search for prey at night and rest at daytime. They only bite when they feel threatened.

Appearance of Black Widow vs. Brown Recluse Spider Bite

The bite of a black widow spider might look like double fang marks. The severity of the reaction to the bite will depend on the overall health and age of the victim. The elderly and children are more seriously affected. Hours after you’re bitten, the bite site will swell. Swelling and infection can be relieved after eight days.

As for the brown recluse spider bite, it may appear slightly red. And when you look closely, you can also see fang marks. Often, the bite site will heal after several days to weeks with minimal scarring. Swelling can happen after an hour. Within a day, swelling continues, along with turning dark red and blue. In severe cases, the bite can lead to the death of subcutaneous fat and the skin.

Home Care for Black Widow and Brown Recluse Spider Bites

There are limited home care treatments for black widow spider bites. You can ease pain through a cold or warm compress. Over-the-counter pain medicines may also help to relieve pain.

After being bitten by a brown recluse spider, clean the wound with soap and water. After that, seek medical help. Home care can only be done after you’re treated by a physician. Decrease pain and swelling through cold compress. As much as possible, you must elevate the wound area above your heart and avoid strenuous activities as these can spread the venom through your skin.

When to Seek Medical Help

After being bitten by a black widow spider, seek immediate care at a hospital; a doctor’s office might not be as equipped to deal with such types of injuries. Narcotic pain relievers may be prescribed to treat pain, and antivenin administered to contradict the effects of the venom.

Once you suspect that you were bitten by a brown recluse spider, you should see a doctor immediately. Whenever possible, you need to bring the spider with you so your doctor can identify the spider. This way, a proper diagnosis will be made.

When bitten by either of these two spiders, be cautious because both can cause painful bites. In some cases, it can be fatal. You should seek medical care immediately after being bitten.

Making sure that your home is free from these dangerous insects will prevent you and your family from being bitten. Letting pest control experts inspect your home annually for the presence of these spiders is important. For more information about black widow vs. brown recluse spiders and how to get rid of them, contact your local Modesto pest control company today.