SUMMER OUTDOOR SAFETY - Venomous Spiders in Georgia

Venomous Spiders in Georgia

Only two spiders are dangerous to man, the black widow and the brown recluse, and they both live in Georgia. The bites of these spiders rarely cause death. However, they may cause serious health problems, especially for children, the elderly, and those in poor health.

The female black widow is a black, shiny spider with a red or orange hour glass shape on her belly (underside). The smaller, brown male spider is not poisonous. The black widow spins her web in dark, quiet places - under rocks, debris and woodpiles. Black widows also like attics, cellars, and other damp storage areas. The bite of the black widow may be painful. The venom of the Black Widow is a neurotoxin which causes sustained muscle spasm rather than local tissue injury. Within one hour after being bit, you may experience stomach pain, dizziness, stiffness, and trouble breathing.

For photos of the Black Widow, see http://www.surviveoutdoors.com/reference/spiders/black_widow.asp

The brown recluse spider is a yellowish-tan to dark brown spider. It is about the size of a quarter. The brown recluse has a dark violin-shaped marking on its head. This spider is naturally non-aggressive toward humans and prefers to live in undisturbed attics, woodpiles, and storage sheds, spinning its web in dark, quiet places. Bites occur either when sleeping humans roll onto the spider or put on clothes into which the spider has crawled. Recluse bites range in intensity from no noticeable effect to severe necrosis. The venom can cause severe tissue death at the bite site. Symptoms start 2-6 hours after the bite. Blisters frequently appear at the bite site, accompanied by severe pain and pronounced swelling. A common expression is the formation of a reddish blister, surrounded by a bluish area, with a narrow whitish separation between the red and blue, giving a 'bull's-eye' pattern. By 12-24 hours, it is usually apparent if the bite is going to become necrotic because it turns purple in color. If necrotic symptoms do not express by 48-96 hours, then they will not develop. If the skin turns purple, it will then turn black as cells die. Eventually the necrotic core falls away, leaving a deep pit that gradually fills with scar tissue.

For photos of the Brown Recluse spider, see http://www.surviveoutdoors.com/reference/spiders/brown_recluse.asp


First Aid:
1. Wash the bite site with soapy water.
2. Call the Georgia Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) immediately for more treatment advice.

Safety Tips:
Before dressing, shake out clothing, shoes, and hats that have not been worn for a while. Wear shoes and gloves when getting fire wood, lumber, and other items that have been stored for a long time. Get rid of clutter in basements, closets, attics, and garages. Dust and vacuum around windows, corners of rooms, under furniture, and in storage areas regularly.