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I just read an article written by a research entomologist who stated, "most information that was available in the late 20th century was polluted with myths, exaggerations and hyperbole.". He goes on to state that,"in the last 5 years or so that many "spider bites" are actually bacterial infections that are resistant to common antibiotics." I think you're misinformed if you think these are just "guys spraying and laying out poison". LOL.
Misinformed? You ever heard of 'Black Pest Control'? My brother worked there for 10 years and I helped in the summers when I was in High School... Most of what we did, like 99% was laying and spraying poison... Hows that for "misinformed"
When there were infestations where things had to be torn open, or when there was damage that had to be repaired, we didn't do it, there were outside contractors, rehab and restoration guys, sometimes structural repair guys that would be called in.
Sometimes when we were called for a specific problem (termites, mice, rats, squirrels, etc) we would investigate, but we were never taking things apart. Sometimes were were filling holes, anything small enough to be filled with spray foam or chalk. Sometimes when applying poison we were required to drill holes.... but not much else.
As far as "hyperbole" goes, if working with someone, watching them react to a spider bite, and then actually having to catch the spider qualifies as "hyperbole", then maybe you're right.
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rampart2
Sorry, I have intimate knowledge of the more private areas in homes, I must have seen 20 of these at the very least as I worked with a restoration company for less than 5 years.. And Black Widows by the hundreds...
Not that your job isn't a very important one, but a guy spraying and laying out poison for pests isn't going to get as intimate with these guys as someone pulling things apart and looking inside/under/behind...
I've known 3 people personally that have been bit in this area, and heard of plenty more..
Well, you just verified bugguy's assertation while trying to disprove it.
Took this picture with my Blackberry while on a job in Southwest CHARLOTTE yesterday, Monday. It's a RARE (in this area) Brown Recluse Spider. Contrary to "popular" (here) belief, these spiders are very rare and very small. Posting this pic only for those that want to know...not those that already know everything...lol.
Rarity depends on where you live. They aren't rare in the southern Gulf states. Small is also a matter of opinion. They are about as big as a quarter (leg span), and that's big enough for me. There are several species of spiders that have venom similar to the BR, and causes similar effects (necrolysis). Hobo spiders up north, and also yellow sac spiders.
This recluse you photographed is one of about 19 recluse subspecies. It's unusual because of its differentiation in color between the thorax and abdomen. Most recluse species are solid uniform shades of brown between mahogany and yellowish tan.
Unless you capture the spider and provide it to an expert (not necessarily the doctor) for analysis, it is difficult to prove what you were bitten by. However, there is a new test that has been developed to ID the venom protein of the recluse, so you can know for sure.
Wow, I was just telling my son today to only worry about light brown spiders, didn't even know these are light brown like that. I'm glad they are light like that to differentiate from other spiders!
...great looking. For those that don't know, the brown recluse has a "violin" on its back. Look closely at the photo and you can see the faint outline.
The next time you see a spider and are wondering, look for the violin (or a red hourglass on the abdomen of the Black Widow).
A friend of mine was bitten by one of those little buggers, messed him up pretty bad and he was at the doctor same day.
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