Brown Recluse Spider Bites - Now is the time to spray your house! (graphic pictures)

myself ^ | 5/9/03 | brigette

[stlnative]

FYI - PLEASE READ AND BE INFORMED

[error99]

So what state do you live in?
These things are not a problem down here where I am.

[Reagan is King]

Thanks for the post. My next door neighbor (I'm in East Texas) just had their house fogged and they found 12 dead brown recluse spiders afterwards. I've already ordered my spraying and so should anyone that lives in their territory.

[stlnative]

I live in Illinois - they mainly live in the midwest, but have been found in new areas throughout the USA due to people moving from the midwest to other places.

[discostu]

What are you doing that's leaving you so exposed to those things? I've lived in brown recluse country for over 25 years never even touched one.

[Betteboop]

We have them in NJ and PA.

[Utah Girl]

Take care.

[netmilsmom]

How big are they?
It looks Huge.
I'm in MI.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Also in California. Couple ladies I know got hit. One almost lost her leg.

[djf]

I think spider venom has an enzyme that basically has two purposes: digest living tissue, and turn some of it into more enzyme.
Not pretty.

[stlnative]

I live in the country - farmland - corn fields and very wet weather right now that makes them move indoors... they get in my house all the time. I spray 4 times a year and not gotten around to it yet. Not sure when I was bit, it could have been while I was sleeping. You do not really feel them when they bite... it is the after you have worry about as it swells and turns black in the center.

[Polycarp]

I recently referred a patient of mine to a plastic surgeon for a BRS bite on the back of her calf. Fortunately this one will heal. My mentor treated one that the ER and family doc misdiagnosed as simple cellulitis. Lost half his leg.

One final note:

I have a patient with a history of severe acute liver failure.

He set off a bug bomb but returned home too soon.

He inhaled enough insecticide to cause severe liver damage.

And most insecticides are ineffective against spiders unless they get direct and heavy contact.

[discostu]

Sounds like you need more cats. Lousy company good for keeping bugs out. Good luck, those bites get nasty.

[Exit148]

What happens when you have your house bombed? Do you have to wash all exposed surfaces -- for instance dishes?

[stlnative]

they can be tiny or slightly larger than a quarter when the legs are spread. Read the website... or do a google search on them. They have a fiddle shape on their backs.

[Young Rhino]

Bitten twice in three years? While I feel sorry for your situation, if you ever attend a FR rally, please identify yourself so that others can avoid a lightning strike or other freak accident.

[Exit148]

What about those fine light tan ones? I have them in my kitchen and they seem harmless. I always talk to them before I blow them away from my area.

[tutstar]

[yooper]

Don't mean to offend here, but didn't you notice a spider on your neck? Did it bite you while you were sleeping?

We have these things, or a relative, here in Michigan. I spend much time outdoors and I've never been bitten, though I know of one person who has (a surveyor).

The territory I live in is lousy with mosquitos; I always leave spiders (and bats) alone for this reason.

[djf]

A friend of mine got nailed good by a Black Widow. Didn't want to heal, a couple times the doctors carved away some tissue around it. Six months later, he has a golf ball size hole in his leg. He's a big dude, but still..