Preventing Spider Bites

To avoid bites from spiders: Wear gloves if working in an area where spiders are likely to live. Avoid wood or rock piles and dark areas where spiders live. Look for spiders in low-lying webs in garages, in barbecue grills, around swimming pools, and in wood piles. Clear away old furniture, tires, junk, newspaper, and…

Preventing Spider Bites

Topic Overview

To avoid bites from spiders:

  • Wear gloves if working in an area where spiders are likely to live.
  • Avoid wood or rock piles and dark areas where spiders live.
  • Look for spiders in low-lying webs in garages, in barbecue grills, around swimming pools, and in wood piles.
  • Clear away old furniture, tires, junk, newspaper, and old clothes. This will eliminate places spiders like to live.
  • Plug openings and crevices into the house.
  • Move your bed away from walls so spiders will be less likely to creep into bed with you.
  • Shake out and check bedding for spiders before getting in the bed.
  • Shake out and check clothing and shoes for spiders before putting them on.
  • Do not leave your child’s toys outside.
  • Consider spraying insecticides on any high-risk areas, such as known black widow spiderwebs, indoor cracks and crevices, closets, attics, wood piles, and under eaves and around baseboards and window areas. Repeat treatment is usually necessary.
  • If a spider gets on you, brush it off. Do not crush it.

Credits

Current as ofJune 26, 2019

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP – Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine
H. Michael O’Connor MD – Emergency Medicine

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