What is it about spiders that makes them so creepy? Maybe it’s their eight legs, numerous eyes, or the fact that they are always where you least expect them to be. Most people fear spiders simply because they don’t know which ones are dangerous and which ones are harmless. If you have trouble distinguishing spiders or are looking for a way to keep spiders in general out of your Kansas City retirement community, here are some things you should know.
Common Spiders Around Kansas City
Most spider species here in Kansas City are harmless. Only two pose any real threat to humans, black widows, and brown recluse. The following will help you identify dangerous spiders and around the Kansas City area.
- Black Widows: Black widows are black, 1 ½” to 1 ⅜” long, and have a red hourglass figure on the underside of their large abdomen.
- Brown Recluses: Brown Recluse are light to dark brown, ¼” to ½” long, round with long thin legs, and have a dark backward violin-shaped mark on the back of their head.
- Cellar Spiders: Cellar spiders, also called daddy long legs, are pale yellow to light brown or grey, ¼ to ⅜” long, and have small bodies and long skinny legs.
- Wolf Spiders: Wolf spiders are dark brown, covered in short fur, 2/8” to 1 ⅜” long, have large bodies, and are covered in pale, sometimes yellow markings.
- Jumping Spiders: Jumping spiders are black and sometimes brown, tan, or gray with pale markings, ⅛” to ¾” long, have large fur-covered bodies, and arguably cute forward-facing eyes.
Problems Spiders Pose
Almost all spiders are venomous; however, not all spiders bite humans. If you or someone in your family has a weak immune system, a bite from any spider may cause uncomfortable to severe symptoms. If you do not have a weak immune system, the only spiders you should be worried about are black widows and brown recluses. A bite from either of these spiders is painful and often has symptoms that last for over a week. Bites from these spiders are life-threatening in children, the elderly, and in those with allergies to venom or who have certain preexisting medical conditions. Retirement communities, in particular, are at increased risk of these spider threats.
If you suspect a black widow or brown recluse spider has invaded your retirement community, do not interact with it at all, instead contact the professionals at Pinnacle Solutions. If bitten, seek out medical attention immediately.
Prevention Tips For Spiders
The good news is that spiders are preventable. To keep dangerous and harmless spiders out of your Kansas City retirement community, here are some of the best prevention tips we have to offer.
- Using a caulking gun, fill in gaps, cracks, and holes in your facility's exterior.
- Repair more extensive damage to your facility that pests might use to get inside.
- Replace damaged or worn weather stripping, window/door screens, and door sweeps around your facility.
- Address leaky piping and fixtures in and around your facility.
- Make sure your gutters are not blocked and are properly channeling water away from the exterior of your facility.
- Use a dehumidifier inside your facility, especially in humid basements and storage areas.
- Clean your facility regularly, not neglecting beneath large appliances and furniture.
- Require residents to pick up and clean up their pet’s food and water bowls after they have finished with them.
- Reduce the clutter in and around your facility.
- Trim your lawn at least once a week, and keep your landscaping well-maintained.
For an easier and longer-lasting solution to spiders and the pests that they invade to hunt, get the experts here at Pinnacle Solutions involved. Let us treat your commercial facility with effective and proven solutions designed to keep pests at bay.