Spider Exterminator

Click on he infographic about bed bugs below!

In honor of Earth Day check out our post on green pest control. IPM is in high demand right now, with lots of pets and children people are more commonly requesting they start moving towards the IPM approach. We have been receiving a lot of questions about what is included in an IPM program. Please Visit our post, what is an IPM Program to learn more about the aspects of IPM. Please contact us at roachman@azpest.com or call our office at 886-7378 to learn more safe alternatives to keep your home pest free!

The Truth about Brown Recluse Spiders

When most people think of spiders that can pose a threat to humans, they probably think of the black widow, which is infamous for its red hourglass marking and painful bites. But a different spider species, known as the brown recluse, can pose serious health threats, too. This spider is less familiar to many Americans because, as their name suggests, they prefer to remain out of sight. However, many homeowners encounter brown recluses more frequently in the fall months, as they enter our homes seeking shelter from the colder weather.

Identifying Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown recluse spiders are tan to dark brown in color, and between ¼ and ½ inches long. Like all spiders, they have eight legs and a round body. Most brown recluse spiders also have a darker, violin-shaped marking on their dorsum. They are found in the Central Midwest, from Ohio to Nebraska and south through Texas and Georgia.

Brown recluse spiders feed on small live prey such as insects. Outside, brown recluse spiders are typically found around rocks, utility boxes and woodpiles or under bark. Indoors, they can be found in any undisturbed area, such as inside boxes, among papers, in seldom-used clothing and shoes, under furniture, or in crevices such as baseboards and window moldings. Closets, attics, crawl spaces and basements are the most common hiding areas.

Understanding the Threat

Brown recluse spiders are not aggressive by nature, and typically run for cover when disturbed. However, these spiders are known to bite when they feel trapped. In many cases, a person is bit when they unknowingly disturb a brown recluse, for example, while moving storage boxes in a basement or putting on a piece of clothing that has a spider hiding in it.

Both female and male brown recluse spiders can bite and inject venom, making them a danger to humans. The bite is usually not felt, but results in a stinging sensation, followed by intense pain that develops as long as six to eight hours later. A small blister usually develops at the bite location, and the surrounding area may become swollen. Dead tissue around the bite may peel away leading to a deep, open ulcer that can take three or more weeks to heal, resulting in dense scar tissue. Restlessness, fever and difficulty sleeping are common symptoms.

The venom injected during a bite can lead to a severe allergic reaction, especially in children, the elderly and those with preexisting medical conditions. If you suspect you or a family member has been bitten by a brown recluse spider, it is important to seek medical attention promptly.  There is no anti-venom available in the United States to counteract the poisonous venom of the brown recluse spider bite, but a doctor may prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to keep the bite from becoming infected. In severe cases, plastic surgery may be required to rectify scaring.

Preventing Brown Recluse Spiders

So what can you do to prevent brown recluse spiders from taking up residence in your home? To begin, inspect the outside of your home for any small openings or holes, paying special attention to areas where utility pipes enter the home. Seal any such openings with a silicone caulk to prevent spiders and other insects from gaining access inside.

Stack firewood at least twenty feet from your home and five inches up off of the ground, to deter spiders from hiding out in the wood. It’s a good idea to wear gloves when moving the wood, and inspect it carefully before bringing indoors.

Store clothes and shoes inside plastic containers and shake out all clothing that have been in a hamper, on the floor or in storage before wearing. Use extra cautionwhen handling items that are not used often, such as boots, baseball mitts, skates and gloves.

If you suspect you have been bitten by a brown recluse spider, seek prompt medical attention. If you suspect you have a brown recluse spider infestation, contact a licensed pest professional. Do not attempt to handle the spiders on your own. For more information on brown recluse spiders, or to find a local pest professional, visit www.PestWorld.org.

Company History

Arizona Pest Control is a family owned and operated pest management firm located in Tucson, Arizona. We have been providing environmentally friendly pest management solutions to residential and commercial clients since 1947. We are considered one of the industry’s most innovative companies, and our 25 plus employees are what have made that possible. Specializing in pigeon exclusion, bee removal, termite control, scorpion control, rodent control, and general pest control, please do not hesitate to call us at any time!

• Family Owned and Operated in Tucson

• 2^nd generation pest & termite control experts

• A+ Better Business Bureau Rating

• Angie’s List Super Service Award Winner (2010, 2011, 2012)

• Environmentally responsible pest control that is safe for families, children, and pets

• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

• Authorized operator of the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System

• National Pest Management Association Member

• Over 98% customer satisfaction rate

• Expert Beekeepers (Live bee removal options for a sustainable future for our children)

• Doing business with the greater Tucson community since 1947!

• Creators of Arizona’s biggest cockroach contest, fastest roach contest, and the award winning Million Dollar Roach Contest

Bees take over vacant building

SOUTH TUCSON – Somebody called 911 after a bee colony in a vacant building got out of control.

Javier Fimbres lives next door.

“They’ve been chasing us,” he said. “It’s scary. They poked me in the head a couple times.”

Officials found the landlord who is paying Arizona Pest Control to remove the hive. Josh Tennenbaum used a pesticide to kill the bees in the building.

“These are actually pretty aggressive,” he said. “They were in the process of swarming when we started messing with them, so they weren’t real happy about that.”

He wore a bee suit and says people should never try to do the job themselves.

“You’re going to lose control of the situation real quick,” Tennenbaum said, “and you’re going to have a dead dog, angry neighbors or even worse, somebody’s going to get hurt.”

The South Tucson Fire Department checked on Tennenbaum while he was working. Capt. Andy Luna said the colony has been a problem for years, but they were especially aggressive lately.

“We do have a foaming process that we can do to extinguish the hive,” he said, “but it’s only in an emergency situation.”

That might temporarily solve the problem, but another colony will likely come back if the hive is not completely removed.

Somebody apparently sealed the building with foam before, but the bees chewed through it.

Tennenbaum will come back to clean it out later. He thinks it is spread throughout the wall and roof of the building. It might be a difficult job to do correctly.