Utah is home to many species of spider, including the venomous Black Widow. Yards and properties across Utah can become the home for spiders large and small and sometimes you need professional help to keep them under control. Just the thought of a spider being nearby is enough to terrify some of us, so what should you do if the worst happens and you are actually bitten by a spider?
Don’t Panic About Getting Bitten by a Spider
Thankfully, this is not a problem that should occupy a lot of your thoughts for two reasons:
- Spider bites are a very rare occurrence. A spider may bite you if you accidentally stumble into its habitat or it feels very threatened but they will not attack a human just for the sake of it.
- Even if a spider does bite you, the amount of venom it carries is not generally harmful to humans who are many thousands of times larger than the prey of a spider. Even a bite from a Black Widow will not necessarily cause much of an issue, however, nobody knows how their body will react until it happens so here are some signs and symptoms of spider bites.
How to Recognize a Spider Bite
It’s difficult to tell the difference between a spider bite and any other insect bite as it will normally appear a bit red and itchy. If this is the extent of the symptoms, just put some antibiotic or anti-itch cream on it and don’t give it any further thought. In some cases, though, more extreme symptoms can occur. These include:
- Swelling at the bite location
- Muscle cramps or pain
- Fever or chills
- Vomiting or feeling nauseous
- Headache
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty breathing
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to contact a doctor right away. Spider venom can be treated by healthcare professionals so it might be helpful to take the spider or a picture of the spider with you if you can. The sooner you get treated, the quicker your recovery.
Venomous Spiders in Utah
Most spiders are venomous but only a couple are actually dangerous to humans:
- Black Widows are commonly found in Utah yards so if you want to avoid a bite from this potentially dangerous spider, wear gloves when out gardening and give gloves and boots a shake before putting them on. If you are bitten by a Black Widow, any reaction will happen quite fast so make sure you seek medical help if your symptoms worsen.
- The jury’s out on whether the Brown Recluse can be found in Utah or not, as it’s commonly confused with other types of spider, such as the Hobo spider. If you are bitten by a Brown Recluse, however, you may not realize it immediately. Over time, the bite might turn into a blister and in rare cases, tissue death, or necrosis, can occur. Hobo spiders can also bite humans but recent studies have shown that their venom is not actually toxic to us.
If you’re unsure if you have a spider bite or not, the best thing to do is to keep an eye on it, and if you start experiencing symptoms like those described above, get in touch with your doctor. H2 Pest Control can remove and treat your home and yard for any type of spider so give us a call if you need spider control services anywhere in Utah County or Salt Lake County. You can also check out our comprehensive guide to all things spidery in Utah!