 | Bill Hawks
is the Executive Vice President of Hawks Inter-State Pestmasters, Inc., and a nationally recognized third-generation structural pest management expert. The firm and family have been servicing Wichita-area clients for over 65 years, and are actively involved in applied research and the evolving science of pest and termite controls. Hawks is nationally recognized as an industry leader in promoting safety, environmental care and the expert use of pesticides to minimize risks and costs through customized modern service techniques. You may contact Bill at (316) 267-8331. |
Pest Control
2002-11-01 14:20:00
Brown Recluse spiders
QUESTIONS: Are all Brown Recluse bites poisonous? Is there a cure or effective treatment for a bite from a Brown Recluse Spider? Are they impossible to control?ANSWERS: Yes, but there are several variables. Most important is the founding principle of toxicology: "The dose makes the poison." As a general rule, keep this in mind: 1) the amount of venom injected varies; 2) the chemical activity of the venom varies depending on recent environmental stresses and when the spider has last fed; 3) the sensitivity/reactivity of the victim can vary dramatically from person to person; 4) the area of the human body where the victim is bitten and the characteristics of the effected tissue matters a great deal; 5) the general metabolic health, immune vigor and age of the victim are also very important.Treatment depends on the severity of reaction to the bite. Opinions can vary widely as to how to medically care for these events. How the victim's body reacts is a big part of this consideration. Personally speaking, if I or a family member was bitten, I would seek immediate physician-administered treatment with Intravenous Vitamin C (IVC) and possibly, in an emergent situation, or with a bite to delicate human tissue, I would also seek immediate physician-administered intravenous therapy with Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), perhaps in alternating intervals with the IVC. There are so many variables with these bites, and as so many bites occur in and around homes in our region, I recommend you speak to the physician of your choice, in advance, about what should be done and what options you prefer, in the event you or a loved one is bitten and reacts badly. It's wise to investigate your options. Insofar as control, the new pesticides are very much improved. Some are highly specific to and effective against spiders; have remarkably low toxicity to humans (often much less toxic to humans than some common household cleaners), and, are odorless and biodegradable. What is impossible to provide, however, is spider web or spider bite control. When a spider wanders into clothing or bedding, etc., this is somewhere where you can't put a pesticide. We can kill spiders by the bucket-full, but we can't prevent a dying spider from wandering into your shoe or other situation where you could be bitten. Same is true with storage areas and stored items creating optimal habitat and protected shelter. Population management is a very effective tool at reducing the risk from Brown Recluse Spiders, but not as efficient as you being careful. If we could somehow gather up all the spiders that lived on square mile of urbanized land and weighed them on a scale, their combined weight could add-up to more than a ton. That's a lot of spiders. And that's just the spiders; think of all the insects over the same area for them to feed on. That's why, as a part of any spider control program, it's best to also target the insects they hunt for food, as well as modifying habitat and related measures. The balanced approach is best. Spider control is a process, not a single event. It takes time and a managed, balanced approach to yield results.
