Spider Control in Enid, Oklahoma
Most spiders in an Enid house are harmless and even helpful. The two people call about are the brown recluse and the black widow. Both live in Oklahoma, and both have bites worth taking seriously.
The brown recluse is the one that ends up inside. OSU Extension lists the places it hides in a home: bathrooms, bedrooms, closets, basements, cellars and attics, under furniture, in old clothes and shoes, behind pictures, in storage boxes, in stacks of paper and behind baseboards. Basically anywhere quiet and undisturbed.
How to Spot a Brown Recluse
OSU describes it as light tan to dark brown, about half an inch long, with long thin legs. It has six eyes in three pairs, arranged in a half circle, where most spiders have eight. There's a dark violin shape on its back behind the eyes, with the neck of the violin pointing toward the rear.
It isn't aggressive. Bites happen when the spider gets pressed against skin, like when you put on a shirt that's been in the closet or roll over on one in bed. Some people don't notice the bite for a few hours. If you think you've been bitten, see a doctor and bring the spider if you can. Our brown recluse guide has more.
Why Recluse Control Takes More Than One Visit
OSU calls the brown recluse extremely difficult to control and suggests a pest control firm, often with more than one treatment. The provider will treat where the spiders hide and travel: baseboards, closets, attics, basements, storage areas, door frames and window ledges inside, and eaves, window ledges and porch roofs outside.
Your part is reducing hiding spots. Clean closets and storage rooms often, keep boxes off the floor, and seal gaps with screens, weatherstripping and caulk.
- Store clothes and shoes in sealed bins
- Shake out shoes, gloves and bedding that have sat unused
- Pull beds a few inches from the wall
- Hose off webs and debris under the eaves
Bugs in the house? Mice in the shop? (580) 555-0110
Black Widows and Scorpions
The female black widow is shiny black, round and never hairy, with a reddish hourglass on her underside. OSU says she isn't aggressive unless she's trapped or disturbed, and she's more likely to bite while guarding her egg sac.
OSU also notes that Oklahoma has a few scorpion species, that scorpions mostly come indoors in summer, and that crawl spaces and attics are where they're found most. The ones in Oklahoma aren't considered dangerously venomous, but a sting is still worth a call to the doctor. Mention scorpions on the call if you've seen them.
Questions We Get
Do sticky traps help with brown recluse?
They're a good way to see where spiders are moving. Put them along baseboards and in closets, and show the tech what you caught.
Is there antivenom for a brown recluse bite?
OSU says no specific antivenom is available for brown recluse bites. Black widow antivenom does exist. Either way, see a doctor.
Serving Downtown Enid, Kenwood, Waverley, North Enid, South Enid and Vance AFB Area, Waukomis, Kremlin, Carrier, Lahoma, Drummond, Hillsdale, Hennessey.