If you've lived in Granada Hills for long, you've probably seen a few spiders scurrying through your home, and you may have wondered if they were dangerous. Fortunately, most of the time, the answer to that question is no. However, there are still a few spiders in our area you need to watch out for. Let's talk about some of the most harmful ones, how to keep them out of your home, and what to do if they get in.
Common Dangerous Spiders in Granada Hills
All spiders have fangs and venom, meaning they can all bite. The good news for us here in North America is there aren't that many spiders crawling around that can kill a fully grown adult. However, there are still a couple of species that can pose a mortal danger to pets and kids and the threat of serious injury to adults. The two spiders with medically significant venom in Granada Hills and surrounding areas are the brown recluse and black widow.
The brown recluse is a medium-sized spider with long legs and a violin-shaped marking on its thorax. Don't let this violin fool you; other spider species also have it. The definitive way to identify a brown recluse is by its six eyes arranged in three pairs (normally, spiders have eight eyes). The bite of the brown recluse causes necrosis, meaning it can kill the tissue surrounding the bite area, leading to tissue loss, scarring, and even localized gangrene.
The famous black widow is a medium-sized, solid black spider that sports a bright red hourglass on the underbelly. These are some of the most dangerous spiders in the U.S. because they pack a neurotoxin that can cause serious symptoms like:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Muscle spasms
- Weakness, tremors, and partial paralysis
Fortunately, with immediate medical intervention, these symptoms can be quickly managed, and even if you don't make it to the doctor right away, your chances of dying are pretty slim.
Keeping Spiders Out Of Your Granada Hills Home
Spiders are predators, which means you don't really have anything they want in your home unless you have an infestation of insects they like to feed on, such as flies, moths, roaches, and other insects. Seeing an occasional spider hanging out in a dark corner probably isn't indicative of anything amiss, but if you see spiders everywhere, you'd better start asking if you have another bug problem you need to address.
The best way to keep spiders out of your home is to physically block their entrances and make sure you don't have other pest infestations attracting them. Below are some things you can do to keep spiders away:
- Repair cracks and holes in your house's siding and foundation.
- Install weatherstripping in doorjambs and make sure window screens are intact.
- Cover trash and seal food containers to prevent roaches and ants from seeking them out.
- Remove cobwebs wherever you find them.
- Declutter your home to reduce hiding spots.
Partner With Johnny Rat Pest Control For Complete Spider Elimination
If you still can't seem to get rid of the spiders in your home, there isn't a lot you can do on your own. Spiders aren't attracted to sticky traps or glue traps like other insects are, so these items won't be very effective against them. Spraying for them is also difficult for homeowners to do by themselves because spiders are so good at hiding and moving around. The best thing you can do is call the pros.
Here at Johnny Rat Pest Control, we have the tools and experience to effectively eliminate spiders and the pests they hunt from your Granada Hills home. Our pest control process includes a thorough inspection, comprehensive treatment, and regularly scheduled follow-up services so you can be sure whatever pest is bugging you won't be coming back. Reach out to us today to learn more about our recurring pest control options.