Brown recluse spider (Branson: rental, house, tornadoes)

[MSD61]

Hey folks,

Just wanted to know how often do you encounter these spiders? Are the something to be really worried about? My wife freaking a little bit because they don't have them where she is from. How diligent should we be about these?

Thanks!

[DeanMoore]

been here 4-5 years, haven't seen one yet.
I grew up surrounded with Black Widows all over the place. never been bitten by them,

I'm in no hurry to get bitten, but I'm not worried either.

[firebll31]

Most every building in Missouri will have them in a dark attic, corner, closet or basement unless you have professionals spray. Bites do happen, but not frequently. They are not by nature aggressive, they bite when disturbed or threatened. Storing things in plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes will help a lot, they are drawn to the cardboard for some reason. Also simply shaking out rarely worn shoes and clothing and not reaching blindly into a dark space will protect you. We started having an exterminator spray, and have rarely seen one since. If you see one, don't panic! Simply use a tissue to squash it. No need to bang away with a shoe-you will probably miss! Any kind of bug bite can get infected and resemble a brown recluse bite. If a reddened area turns dark in the middle, or develops streaks, see a doctor. Just use caution and common sense. It is not something to lose sleep over!

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by MSD61

Hey folks,

Just wanted to know how often do you encounter these spiders? Are the something to be really worried about? My wife freaking a little bit because they don't have them where she is from. How diligent should we be about these?

Thanks!

I have lived her for 22 years and last summer was the first time I actually saw one. I have heard lots of stories though, in fact an old boyfriend of mine's father nearly died after being bit. People tend to have varying degrees of reaction to the venom/poison. Check out Brown Recluse First Aid Kit | Brown Recluse | Brown Recluse Spider | Recluse Spider for more information (warning - yucky pictures and SOUND).

Actually, I am more worried about getting hit by some hopped up meth-head drunken fool redneck on a cell phone than I am being bit by a spider. LOL

20yrsinBranson

[ShadowCaver]

Might also want to gander at the following to help educate and be aware of 'em all:
Common Missouri Spiders
Common Missouri Spiders - A Guide to Missouri Spiders
Good luck...

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by MSD61

Hey folks,

Just wanted to know how often do you encounter these spiders? Are the something to be really worried about? My wife freaking a little bit because they don't have them where she is from. How diligent should we be about these?

Thanks!

If the tornadoes don't get you, the brown recluses will. If neither of those get you, the deadly copper-headed water rattler will. Be very afraid of Missouri.

[MSD61]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

I have lived her for 22 years and last summer was the first time I actually saw one. I have heard lots of stories though, in fact an old boyfriend of mine's father nearly died after being bit. People tend to have varying degrees of reaction to the venom/poison. Check out Brown Recluse First Aid Kit | Brown Recluse | Brown Recluse Spider | Recluse Spider for more information (warning - yucky pictures and SOUND).

Actually, I am more worried about getting hit by some hopped up meth-head drunken fool redneck on a cell phone than I am being bit by a spider. LOL

20yrsinBranson

Ya know 20yrsinBranson I say the same thing about getting hit by the drunken fool on a cell phone...LOL! Lucky my wife is not afraid of bugs but she did have concerns over this spider. Unfortunately when you read information about this spider, other than asking locals, you'd think we lived in a spider hell...hehehehe. Thanks!!

[firebll31]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

If the tornadoes don't get you, the brown recluses will. If neither of those get you, the deadly copper-headed water rattler will. Be very afraid of Missouri.

I heard it was the rattle-headed copper moccasin that was the worst!

[firebll31]

Another thing we see frequently in the ER is patients who THINK they have a spider bite, and it turns out to be a fairly common staph infection. Both can cause localized tissue damage and/or systemic problems if left untreated. My husband actually rolled over on a spider in a rental house (we found it squashed in the bed) and was bitten on the back of the arm. Two days later it was black in the middle and he was feeling feverish and nauseated. Antibiotics took care of it and he barely has a tiny scar you would never notice. Untreated, it can cause lots of tissue loss. Don't mess around with any infection-MRSA is too widespread. See a doctor!

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Grown up here my whole life. Never seen a black widow. Seen one recluse, I think. I didn't get a good look at it before I smashed it.