Poisonous Spiders (Cary, Holly Springs: houses, to live in, cost)

[wtd7575]

Not to beat the snake issue to death, but in threads below dealing with this, many people mention that you should be more concerned with spiders, specifically brown recluse and black widows. Could someone please explain where they live, inside or out. where are you most likely to encounter in old or new hoses, etc. Thanks in advance.

[NewUser]

My guess is that these spiders would be outside, in general, and would love a nice dark place like a wood pile.

While we're on the issue of creepy bugs, we went for a walk up near Falls Lake yesterday and were surprised at the number of ticks. My wife brushed 3 off of herself while we were walking. Once we got home, I found one trying to attach itself behind my son's ear. Then, a few hours later, I found one in my pants

And does anyone know anything about those big black centipedes with the yellow legs? We saw one at the North Cary park on Saturday. What are they called?

[wtd7575]

congregate or live inside houses? And are they more prevalent in older homes?

[lamishra]

They're basically found outside around woodpiles, sheds, under decks/porches etc. The brown recluse particularly likes cooler, dark hiding places. They have been known to crawl inside gardening gloves, hats and shoes left outside. I've even heard of people being bitten by them inside mailboxes.
Your best bet to avoid them is to avoid digging around woodpiles, or blindly reaching for things on shelves or in boxes in sheds and garages. I try to wear thick leather work gloves for protection when I'm working in or around these areas. I ALWAYS shake out my gloves and shoes before putting them on if they've been outside and just try to be aware if you're rearranging your shed or garage or something. And wear gloves!

Can ya tell I hate those things?

[wtd7575]

Are they indoors or out?

[lamishra]

BTW, this is a GREAT website for identifying bugs. http://www.whatsthatbug.com/index.html (broken link)

You can even take a picture and send it to them and they'll try to

There are definitley ticks in NC and this is the season to get them. Wear a heavy duty insect repellant, socks, hat, and long pants if you can. Many hikers tuck their pants legs into their socks.
And religiously do a tick check on everyone in your family when you get home and into the shower.

[lamishra]

They are outdoors. They're well known to live in woodpiles.

[leighbhe]

Originally Posted by wtd7575

Are they indoors or out?

I have probably seen more black widows inside than out (sorry folks!). When I was young a friend of mine got a bite from one, she was in the hospital for a couple of days. My sister has found 3 in her house since last summer, then she got a pest control company and no more spiders.

The ticks are the worst, to me. We have to have "tick checks" before bed because even when my kids play on the playset in the back yard we get them. And they are tiny, smaller than an eraser tiny, so they can be hard to spot. I have known 2 people to get rocky mountain spotted fever, so I worry more about that than the spiders.

Leigh

[AliciaR]

I have lived in the Cary/Holly Springs all my life and have only seen these types of spiders a handful of times. They are usually outside but the times I have seen them inside have been in garages. Doesn't matter if the house is old or new, but I recommend getting an exterminator every few months to spray around the house. It doesn't cost much at all.

[MaimounaKande]

I found a black widow web in our attic, so I know she's there somewhere. Black widows hide. They are not predatory. So unless you bother her, she's not bothering you. Same w/brown recluse. It's pretty easy to avoid being bitten by those--just wear gloves when you carry in wood, clean out the shed, etc (I say that, but I never do!).

I don't know...snakes in the leaves or behind a log...they could be anywhere. To me, that's much scarier. My neighbor killed 2 baby copperheads in his yard yesterday.