​In Southwest Florida the summer months mean there will be an increase in spider sightings so it is important to know which ones are dangerous.
 
Wolf Spider

• Lives under rocks and in ivy
• Usually brown and 2 inches in length
• Non-venomous but will bite
• No webs. Uses quickness to catch prey

Brown Recluse

• Lives in basements and closets
• Dark brown violin shape on back
• Dangerous bite that can cause a severe allergic reaction

Black Widow

• Lives in woodpiles, barns, under decks and in meter boxes
• Red, hourglass on abdomen
• Not aggressive but venom is reported to be 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake

Daddy Long Legs

• Lives in garages, basements and gardens
• Tiny body, thin, long legs
• Harmless

Spiny Orb Weaver

• Lives in citrus trees and shrubs
• Colorful body, six spines on  back
• Non-poisonous but their egg sacs hold 300 eggs and hatch in two weeks
• Professional removal is imperative

Banana Spider

• Native to warmer regions
• 5 inches in length including legs; yellow
• Timid and nonpoisonous
• Eats mosquitoes, wasps and moths so good to have around

Huntsman

• More than 5 inches long
• Nocturnal
• Eats cockroaches, silverfish and crickets
• Bite is venomous but usually only causes localized pain

 

There are hundreds of new homes in varying stages of construction in Sarasota and Manatee counties. A common misconception about a brand-new home is that pest control is not needed. Your new home was not built in a sealed factory. It sat open and unprotected from pests andthe  elements for much of the construction process. New homes are often built in areas that were recently wooded, which means the dirt, brush and grass that was disturbed also evicted the pests living there. Building sites are also filled with garbage and debris, which pests love.  So, book your pest control when you are scheduling your utilities and you’ll have one less thing to worry about during your move.