I have a 14 month old and have just recently seen (and killed) several brown recluse spiders in my home. I have researched this extensively online, and found that having an exterminator come out and "exterminate" them is usually not successful and I'm extremely worried about the effects of the pesticide on my child and my dog (you actually have to leave your home for five hours while the fog is being administered). I have purchased glue traps specifically made to trap brown recluse spiders and have been told to place them around the legs of my child's bed, but the thought of possibly attracting the spiders near her absolutely scares me to death. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.
The glue traps won't attact them. They just catch the ones that venture near the bed. They usually stay along the baseboards like mice. (my husband and his entire family have worked and some still work for Cook's pest control.) The glue traps is the most effective passive way to get rid of them.
You should consider getting an exterminator out for spray if you are filling up the traps quickly. Fogging is basically ineffective with brown recluses. You would need to let them spray the carpets and do permiter outside.
Not trying to do a sales thing...but.. Cook's does a free consultation and will answer all your questions about it.
Denise,
Please email your phone number to me at [email protected]. I am a customer and marketing executive with a company that manufactures all-natural products that can help with this problem, and won't harm you or the baby. I have been a customer for 4 years and highly recommend a trial of this company to anyone in a situation such as your's.
I'd love to tell you a little more about them and let you decide for yourself.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Cindy Black
Dahlonega, GA
Denise - Hey - I just had the same problem (also have a 14 month old and a dog). The company I hired to come in (and I apologize, I just searched my file cabinet for their card and can't find right now, but will look again if you'd like), came in and sprayed the inside and the outside of my house. He tried to explain why spiders are so hard to kill to me - it has to do with their legs being smooth and therefore they don't transport the poison to their friends (unlike ants or roaches). Regardless, he sprayed around me while I worked and I never noticed any smell or had any problem. He's scheduled to come back every 3 months (I think), but honestly I haven't seen an 'alive' bug in the house since he sprayed back in June. I sure wouldn't do the fog (not only do you have to worry about the poison in your house, you have to clean all the glass afterwards and all your countertops, and floors, and man it just goes on and on). Good luck!
Becky
Don't know if you read but a full sized adult Recluse can jump several feet into the air. I wish I had additional advice, but as an EMT I only get to see the end results of the bite and it is not somthing to ignore. If by chance anyone does get bit, please go to the ER asap to start treatment.
Brown recluses are extremely hard to get rid of even for pest control companies and it does require multiple visits from them to do this with no guarantee that they go away (my husband used to work in pest control). My suggestion would be to call Cook's Pest Control. I don't think they use fogs, but they do spray and will probably have to come weekly.
You should check out this web site http://www.brown-recluse.com/prevention.html
It tells all about getting rid of the Brown recluse. In this article, it says you DO NOT want to have your house SPRAYED. It will kill all the bugs except the brown reclude. therefore, you would be providing a huge banquet meal for them (they feed on dead bugs).
The glue traps are your best bet. But they don't KILL them. They are just traps. And, the Brown recluse can live 6 - 12 months without food and water!!! So becareful removing the traps.
But check out the rest of the article. it gives some other good tips!
Good luck!
Denise,
I had a few of those scary buggers in my house, too--and two of them were in my son's room. Talk about terrified. I'd been using an exterminator, but when I asked them why I was seeing recluse spiders, I heard that fogging is the only way to kill them. They hide very well, and it's nearly impossible to seek them all out and kill them.
I use Ortex, and although it's only been two weeks since we've fogged, so far, so good. However, I have heard that a lot of folks prefer Cook's Pest Control. I looked into switching, and Cook's did seem more thorough. (They even get into light switches and bathroom drawers and so forth.) If the spiders do come back, I'll try Cook's.
Just thought I'd pass on what I've learned.
Ann
Wow, what a scary situation! I don't really have any advice - we had a lot of spiders and scorpions when we moved in last year and we used an exterminator (who now comes at least every 3 months, or whenever we see something). They have so far been a great company, very personable. They also use a control that is safe for babies and pets. Even though it would be okay for us to stay indoors, I still take my son out for a couple of hours while it's being done. The name of the company is 24 by 7 Pest Control and the number is 770-734-9874. You might just want to call them to ask their advice as well. I do remember the guy telling me that spiders are hard to kill because of their legs - their mouths are a little farther from the ground, so they don't come into contact w/ the poison, or something like that....
Anyway, if it takes packing it up for a few days and then coming home to some cleaning, I'd do it (or hire a cleaning service). Good luck with the situation and stay safe.
Denise,I have no answers for you,but hope that you soon find a solution. I have a small daughter myself and we often have spiders..not aware if they are brown recluse. We use a do it yourself spray from national ext. co. called demon..safe for kids and pets..has no smell and completely kills all bugs and spiders in our home for several months..generally at least 6-12 months.We have used this spray for at least 8 years if not longer,will no known side effects...Hope this helps...gina
Denise,
I have a friend that sells an all natural product for spiders. We used it when we first moved to this house and had problems with spiders. It says that it is safe enough to eat. (I didn't try it LOL) His name is Dan Rose and his number is 328-9914. He also works on the airbase so he will be home after work hours but his wife should be home and you could leave a message. Just let them know that I told you to call. He can answer any questions for you.
Thanks
Misty Blair
I live in Clarksville too, and my house backs up to a wooded area, so spiders and other "critters" have me on my toes. We did have an exterminator come out to do an initial treatment, and then they come out quarterly. They spray inside my house as well as the outside. If I have a problem with a specific insect, they come out in between, but we have not had to do that. My 2 year old, my dog and my pregnant self do not have to leave the house at all. It was not a fog but a spray that is non toxic to humans and pets. In fact, my daughter follows them around when they are here. They did tell me it may not take care of everything in the garage area, but it has seemed to do the trick. I see more dead than anything.
Now I don't know if it will help with Brown Recluse spiders, but it is worth looking into. We went with Servall, and have been very happy with their service.
Good luck!
Kristen A.
Hi Denise!
I do not have any information to help you, but I do have a question about the spiders. How can you tell if it's Brown Recluse or not, they're so small? I have some spiders in my house and reading your request makes me scared now. I also have a small child (11 months).
Thanks!
Machisa
Hi Denise! I totally understand your concerns! I actually caught my daughter reaching for a black widow & found one more after that!! I know they are less harmful than the recluse, but it's all the same in the moment. I had Terminix previous to that particular situation & simply called them for extra service, at no extra cost. But, my girlfriend had your exact experience. She contacted Orkin & Terminix. Orkin guarantees against the recluse & Terminix says you cannot guarantee. When they, whoever you may choose, come out the first time, they're sprays, not foggers, are going to flush all bugs out. You may see more, I know that doesn't seem reassuring. I hope this helps. I really think it is difficult to guanrantee, but after a few visits, you can call anytime & if your in Columbus, the guy is awesome, you start to create a barrier around your home. You will have times during the year when it gets worse, but no sweat, just call. If you decide to go to Terminix, call the Tupelo number & ask for Patsy, she is sooo sweet & she remembers you after a few calls! It feels really personal!!
Hi Denise,
I used to manage apartments and had issues with brown recluse spiders. You have to DUST. They don't drag their bodies through pesticides so it does you know good. Dusting in airvents, outlets, attacks anywhere they can hide. Also vaccume in every crevis you can. Pull out dresser drawers even. I don't remember the dust being a problem with animals or human beings. Of course keep your little one away from everthing. But If I was you, I'd start by dusting then also fogging then the traps. Three strikes and they are out. Call and confirm with bug busters.
Have a great day.
Taura
Hey sweetie, I have only been here about 4 months myself and have a 2 year old and was told the same thing by our exterminator. He said the pesticides do nothing for those spiders at all, nor do they do anything for black widows. He said the best thing to do is get those glue traps and put them in all closets, all cubbards, under all beds, corners of the rooms if possible. The glue is completely non toxic and doesnt attract the spiders, it only captures them because they crawl in and get stuck. I was going to get them myself. Be careful with the traps tho because they don't kill the spiders only trap them so when you lift the traps up wear gloves and dont touch the spider. Brown recluses can live for months without food and water so they will most likely be alive. He also told me that well used areas most likely will not harbor them unless they are really infested in your house because they don't like all the noise. I haven't found any yet in my house thank God, but I figured I would get the traps just in case. Just have to watch the cats with mine so they dont get stuck! I wish ya luck! I have this website for a brown recluse spider bite kit and glue traps....it seems like an awesome thing to have around....http://www.brownrecluses.com/ He also told me that not everyone has a reaction, he was bit and nothing happened except a little scar from the bite mark. He said to still be careful with the kids tho cause they are more apt to get a reaction. He said he put the traps all over his house and changed them every day til the spiders no longer showed up and he's been fine since. So good luck!!!
Denise,
Yikes! We had spiders that got into our old house...We have had good success controlling them by using long acting perimeter spray and using a silicone based caulking to close up cracks in our old brick. I vacuumed REALLY well all the base boards, nook and crannies, under beds, closets, ETC... then used, I think it's Raid -- makes an indoor use "non toxic" (if there is such a thing) insect spray that can be used sparingly in places that would attract the spiders and your baby would not be in contact with those areas. Our son was about 18 months and I'm was not willing to use alot of "spray" on areas that he would be around.
Anyway, Wal-Mart has the Botanical Indoor Spray (RAID?), and likely has an outdoor perimeter spray -- try something that will last a least a month with a built in sprayer. Check your windows, thresholds and foundation for cracks.
Here's a link to Lowe's with info http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=BuyGuide/pesticideguide.html&rn=RightNavFiles/rightNavHowTo
You said that you have researched all this well and have probably done "all the above" , but here's another link that we used as a guideline for "cleanig up " our house (I like a very clean and tidy house!).
We saw an almost immediate reduction in spiders and have not had to treat inside since --- about 18 months. We spray the outside Spring, about every 8wk during the summer and fall.
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/entfacts/struct/ef623.htm
Best of Luck!
Shannon
Hi Denise,
We're about the same age, and i still have alot to learn too, i have a 3.5 yr old and another on the way. I remember a lady telling me about something she would use to curb/get rid of the fleas in her home and maybe this will help with those spiders. She used the powder Borax/Borox detergent and put alongside the corners and down in the creases alongside the walls in each room and said that seemed to help. I have seen these critters and I know they aren't pleasant to see, scary and annoying, from what I remember, do they like the dampness or I wonder what makes them attracted to the inside of a house? Anyhow, I hope this helps, i'm at 865 686 6350 or [email protected] if you find something that works, let me know.
dina
We have an exterminator come and spray with a nontoxic/environmentally friendly chemical. It is safe for both pets and children and you can be in, and stay in, the house while it is sprayed. It does need to be done about every 2-3 months though.
we have had this done for the last 2 years and have had no problems. We have a two year old, two dogs, and two birds-- one of which is an african grey so we must be extermely carfeful with what chemicals we use in the house or the birds will die.
I live in McDonough, GA and I am constantly killing Wolf spiders in my home. They are the size of a quarter, brown (sometimes a grayish-brown), and quite scarey looking, but are harmless. Do you think it could be wolf spiders in your home? This site won't allow me to attach a pic, but if you go to google.com and type in "wolf spider" it shows 3 pics at the top. In my opinion, it is very similar looking to a recluse. If so, then you have nothing to worry about. Good luck to you.
Katie