TIPS TO AVOID BROWN RECLUSES
From the Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service
Store clothing in sealed plastic bags or storage boxes.
Store shows in plastic shoe boxes.
Shake clothing and shoes before wearing.
Move beds away from walls or curtains.
Remove bedshirts from box springs.
Do not use bedspreads that touch or come close to the floor.
Inspect bedding before climbing into bed.
Place glueboards or sticky traps under each bedpost.
Excerpts from Tennessean Article October, 12, 2010
The Brown Recluse comes crawling
Venom is not toxic for most, but can be deadly
"Dr. Saralyn Williams, a medical toxicologist with the
Tennessee Poison Center, said that the vast majority
of people have nothing to fear from brown recluses.
About 90 percent of people who are bitten by one
don't have any significant reaction. They might
experience some itching, redness and a small scab
at the site, she said....
It's what happens to the unlucky 10 percent that
gives rise to the horror stories....
Cook thinks brown recluses gets a bad rap.
He said people are typically only bitten after they've
accidentally injured the spider. Common scenarios
include rolling over on one during sleep or putting
on a shirt from the closet that the spider's been
living in.
"They aren't seeking us out," Cook said. "Brown
recluses aren't aggressive. They're really kind of a
docile spider."
If you are bitten, Williams advises elevating the
affected area and applying ice to reduce pain. There
is no anti-venom to treat brown recluse bites, so
Williams said doctors treat the wounds the same way
they treat burns. In cases where large amounts of
tissue have died, skin grafts can be performed for
cosmetic reasons.
Read the full article
