Afraid of spiders? What you need to know about spiders in the home

"Oh, it's a spider!" is a very familiar thing to us, isn't it? It's normal for us to feel a little scared and scared when we see a spider weaving a beautiful web in the corner of a house, near a window. Many people are very afraid of spiders. But do we really need to be so afraid of these spiders? Is it really dangerous if a spider bites? Okay, let's talk about this precisely, simply, and dispel all doubts today.

Who are these spiders? Are they really insects?

First, let's get this straight. Spiders are not insects, as many people think. They belong to a slightly different group of animals called Arachnida . The biggest difference is that while insects have 6 legs and 3 body parts, spiders have 8 legs and 2 body parts . Spiders are actually a type of animal that helps people. Just think, they eat harmful insects like mosquitoes, flies, and cockroaches that bother us. In other words, the spiders in our homes provide us with a free 'pest control' service. Also, spiders don't just come to attack people. They are very innocent. Spider bites are very rare.

Why do spiders weave webs?

Simply put, the main reason is to catch their food . The spider's web is their hunting ground. When an insect gets caught in this web, the spider can easily catch it. But not all spiders weave webs just for food.

• Some spiders, such as tarantulas, line the inside of their burrows with silk threads, like a protective wall to protect them from predators.
• Another important thing is that these silk threads are used to lay eggs . Female spiders lay eggs and then create a protective sac (egg sac) around them, covered with a thick layer of silk threads. We can sometimes see these in spider webs.
• After the young hatch from their eggs, some spiderlings climb to a high place and release a silk thread into the wind. The wind picks up the thread and carries them away like a balloon. This allows them to spread over long distances.

Common types of spiders and dangerous spiders

There are many different types of spiders in our homes and gardens. Let's take a look at some of the most common types.

Shall we also learn about dangerous spiders?

Okay, now you might be thinking, "So there aren't any dangerous spiders?" Yes, there are poisonous, dangerous spiders in the world. But the most important thing is that a venomous spider bite that is severe enough to threaten human life is very, very rare in the domestic environment of Sri Lanka .

• Black Widow spider : This spider's venom is dangerous. But these spiders don't usually live indoors. They live outdoors, like in woodpiles and garbage dumps. Also, they don't bite unless they're in trouble.
• Funnel-web spider: These are mainly found in Australia. Their venom is very dangerous. However, since antivenom has been found, there are no deaths reported.

What to do if you get bitten by a spider?

Most of the time, we don't even feel a spider bite. Even if we do, it's just a small bite, like an ant or mosquito bite. A spider's fangs are very small, so it's hard for them to penetrate human skin. Even if they do bite, the venom is designed for insects, not humans. So usually, the bite site is a little red, a little swollen, and there's a little itching or pain . This usually goes away on its own in a day or two. However, rarely, someone can have a severe allergic reaction. Or, if you're bitten by a venomous spider, the symptoms can be much more severe.

First aid for a spider bite

If you are sure you have been bitten by a spider, or if there are unusual symptoms at the site of the bite, do these things. Special Notice: If you suspect that you have been bitten by a venomous animal, you can call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital at any time and seek medical advice. They will provide you with the correct guidance.

How to control spiders in the house?

Remember, since spiders help our environment, it is wiser to control their entry into the home rather than completely eliminating them.

• Seal cracks: Seal cracks and holes in the foundation and walls of your home.
• Close windows and doors properly: Check whether the screens on windows and doors are properly installed and whether there are any gaps.
• Keep the environment clean: Remove places where spiders can hide, such as piles of wood, piles of rocks, and old planks around the house.
• Keep the inside of the house clean: Keep areas like basements and attics clean and free of unnecessary items. When there are no other insects to feed on in the house, spiders will be less likely to come.
• Remove cobwebs: Always remove cobwebs with a vacuum cleaner, broom, or brush.

If you see an infestation of spiders that you can't control, especially if you suspect it's a dangerous species, seek the help of a pest control professional. Spider, spider web, spider bite, spider venom, first aid, first aid, spiders in Sri Lanka, fear of spiders, spider venom