Spiders might be the one pest that most homeowners in Southern Maine fear more than any other. While many other pests pose more health and property damage risks than spiders, there is something about them that is particularly scary, leaving many people to have severe spider phobias.
While there are several spiders in the area, a general overview of what spiders look like can help you tell them apart from other insects and arachnids. Spiders have:
- Eight legs
- Two main parts to their bodies
- An exoskeleton
- Four pairs of eyes (in most species)
Part of the fears associated with spiders are concerns about the dangers of spider bites. It’s true that all spiders have both fangs and venom. However, spiders use these traits to paralyze and eat their prey, most don’t bite humans. Even if you are the victim of a spider bite, most spiders in the area don’t pose any significant health concerns for humans.
However, there is one dangerous spider that is occasionally found in Maine: the black widow.
How Common Is The Black Widow Spider In Southern Maine?
In the United States, the black widow spider and the brown recluse are the only two species that are medically significant to humans. And, in Southern Maine, the black widow is the only species that is occasionally a problem as brown recluse are extremely rare. Black widow spiders aren’t native to the area, and even they aren’t very common. However, there have been some cases where black widows have bitten humans.
While not native to the area, black widow spiders can get here as people travel across state lines. If a black widow spider is hiding in a moving truck, in furniture, or other items, it can travel long distances.
Black widow spiders are extremely dangerous, and if you suspect you have a bite from a black widow you should seek medical attention immediately. Some of the symptoms of black widow venom include nausea, fever, muscle cramps, stomach aches, shock, and high blood pressure.
Tips For Preventing Spiders
Most of the spiders that are native to Southern Maine are nuisance pests. While they are unpleasant to have around, they aren’t likely to bite you, and their bites most likely won’t cause more than minor symptoms.
However, knowing how to prevent spiders, even the nuisance ones, is still important for peace of mind. Here are some of the best spider prevention tips:
- Make sure that screens don’t have holes and tears.
- Place weather stripping around doors and windows.
- Get rid of any old webs.
- Declutter often.
- Sweep and vacuum regularly.
- Clean up outdoor areas such as garages and remove excess clutter.
- Address underlying pest issues that could be drawing in spiders who hunt small insects as prey.
- Get help from pest control experts.
Get Effective Spider Control
While finding dangerous spiders in Southern Maine is extremely rare, dealing with any spider infestation can be stressful. The safest and most effective way to get rid of these scary arachnids is to work with the experts at Big Blue Bug Solutions. With our more than 80 years of experience, our technicians can provide expert assistance in removing current infestations as well as preventing spider issues moving forward. Give us a call today to speak with our staff and learn how to schedule a free inspection.