[Rainbow Island]

I guess you are right Nita.

Are grand daddy long legs poisonous?

In: Spiders [Edit categories]
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No, Daddy long legs are in no way poisonous and are completely harmless.

There is, however, a myth about these creatures being the most venomous of spiders, but its jaws are too small to bite, however this is a complete fallacy, as none of these species have venom glands or fangs. They are completely harmless and are not poisonous.
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The above answer is not true, they can bite. They do have venom glands and the "daddy long legs or grand daddy long legs" actually called pholcid spiders do have a short fang structure called uncate. Brown recluse spiders also have uncate fang structure, but are able to deliver medically significant bites.
In 2004, the Discovery Channel show MythBusters set out to test the daddy long-legs myth (season 1, episode 13 "Buried in Concrete"). After measuring the phlocid spider's fangs at approximately 0.25 mm (average human skin thickness varies from about 0.5mm to 4mm), the show's host was apparently bitten, although the bite produced little more than a mild short-lived burning sensation. This appears to confirm the suspicion that pholcids can penetrate human skin, but that their venom is harmless to humans.
Additionally, recent research by Alan Van Dyke has shown that pholcid venom is actually relatively weak in its effects on insects as well.
According to the University of California at Riverside, the daddy long-legs spider has never harmed a human and there is no proof that they are poisonous to humans

[Luvvarkansas]

I'd love to see a tarantula while we are in Arkansas. I've never seen one.

[dvcgal]

This is totally freaking me out!!! We are moving to Bentonville at the end of March in an neighborhood that is still being developed in a rural part of town! Holy crud!!! Ok, so when do these types of spiders come out? Are there certain seasons that you see one or the other or all three??? Are they harmful to animals?
Seriously, I hate spiders and this is totally giving me chill bumps!! UGH!!!!

[Kaye02]

dvcgal- I hate to say it but you will probably see a lot of spiders if your in an area that's still being developed. Black Widows, Tarantulas, & Brown Recluses are all prevalent all through out AR. Black Widows can bite pets and kill them, though it is rare. If your pet does get bitten it will probably be in an exposed area that you will notice quickly. Take the animal to a vet ASAP, there is no home cure for a black widow bite. It might be wise to have your house sprayed by an exterminator once you move in, and continue doing that once every month, at least until the area is finished being developed.

[Onni]

Brown Recluse Spider Bite around day 10

[dvcgal]

Originally Posted by Kaye02

dvcgal- I hate to say it but you will probably see a lot of spiders if your in an area that's still being developed. Black Widows, Tarantulas, & Brown Recluses are all prevalent all through out AR. Black Widows can bite pets and kill them, though it is rare. If your pet does get bitten it will probably be in an exposed area that you will notice quickly. Take the animal to a vet ASAP, there is no home cure for a black widow bite. It might be wise to have your house sprayed by an exterminator once you move in, and continue doing that once every month, at least until the area is finished being developed.

So an exterminator has something then that they can spray to kill them or keep them away?
Ok, that makes me feel better. Is there a local service in town that anyone recommends? I don't mind using a chain but I try to support local businesses if I can.
Thanks Kaye!

[dvcgal]

Originally Posted by Onni

Brown Recluse Spider Bite around day 10

HOLY!!! MOLEY!!! OMG!!! That is disgusting!!! Seriously, that is really gross!

[Kaye02]

dvcgal- Yes they have spray that will kill and keep away bugs, including spiders. I don't know what the stuff is called though, and there are different types, you'll have to ask the pest control person what option would be best for you. I'd recommend you wait and see if you actually get any spiders/bugs before you use pest control, though. I use Terminex here in Northeast Arkansas, and like their service just fine. I think Terminex has a location in Bentonville, as well, but I'm sure there are also other services around the area. P.S.- I was hungry until I saw that Brown Recluse bite photo. That picture's a great cure for nighttime munchies!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by dvcgal

This is totally freaking me out!!! We are moving to Bentonville at the end of March in an neighborhood that is still being developed in a rural part of town! Holy crud!!! Ok, so when do these types of spiders come out? Are there certain seasons that you see one or the other or all three??? Are they harmful to animals?
Seriously, I hate spiders and this is totally giving me chill bumps!! UGH!!!!

relax, you may never see one, who knows. I haven't seen a recluse and they have been almost everywhre we live. I have seen lots of black widows, in both Ca and NM but not here. It is like the scare of snakes. Yes we have them, yes, we have bad ones, but most people live their entire lives and never see one.

YOu will be more inclined to see them in the spring and summer and the recluse love to hide..

I advise (not that I am an expert) you have your house pest sprayed every few months. We have a contract with a company in Bentonville ( I am not allowed to mention names here) They come out every 3 months, spray and also leave little sticky triangled cards that sorta remind me of old fly paper. You put them around the outside of the house near doorways or where ever, that will trap some of the kinds the spray didn't get..

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by dvcgal

So an exterminator has something then that they can spray to kill them or keep them away?
Ok, that makes me feel better. Is there a local service in town that anyone recommends? I don't mind using a chain but I try to support local businesses if I can.
Thanks Kaye!

email me, I wil give you the name of the company we use. They came referred to us when we moved here last year and are one of the largest companies in the area...

Nita