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In the News - June 2009
Homespun advice from a veteran county agent
Brown recluse spiders ignore social status
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Each year, some people with pest problems hesitate to
call their county extension agent for help because they're embarrassed and feel
like others will peg them as being on a lower rung of the social ladder. Ants,
cockroaches, fleas, head lice, pantry insects and the brown recluse spider seem
to be pests some people wish to discuss quietly, in hopes the neighbors won't
hear.
The good, or bad, news is that each of these pests can be found in just about
any home, regardless of the social status of the owner. The brown recluse, one
of only two poisonous spiders in Arkansas, has re-entered the spotlight recently
simply because, well, its spring and time for it to be on the prowl.
The recluse has a couple of good traits. One good trait is its desire to stay
out of sight (hence their name). Its nocturnal hunting habit is one reason they
tend to come into contact with people. Another good trait is the brown recluse
is cannibalistic, which helps control its own population to some degree.
A recent search through several storage boxes in the barn revealed some newly
hatched brown recluse spiders, reminding me to initiate control measures. At the
same time, it reminded me that our storage habits, whether barn, closet, attic,
etc., create the ideal environment for this particular spider.
If a population is present, a combination of practices is generally required
to achieve satisfactory control. A number of pyrethroid insecticides, such as
cyfluthrin and cypermethrin, are particularly effective against the brown
recluse as well as being user friendly to homeowners.
However, recluse control may require partial sacrifice due to our habit of
saving and storing everything we've acquired since grade school. This acquired
wealth stored in boxes and bags has created the ideal location for this spider
to set up housekeeping. These are also very difficult areas to effectively treat
with insecticide, which means the spider's home base goes untouched.
I like to use sticky traps to monitor the presence of brown recluse
throughout the year. Placed along the baseboard beneath a couch, bed or in the
back of a closet, this is an inexpensive method to stay advised of the presence
or movements of the brown recluse or other household pests.
Another added bonus of these out-of-the-way traps is that your neighbors,
relatives or other visitors will never know unless, of course, you tell them!
Til' next week!
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of
Agriculture. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its program to
all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion,
gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally
protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
June 19, 2009
By: Robert Seay
Benton County Extension Agent Staff Chair
Media Contact: Elizabeth Fortune
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
efortune@uaex.edu
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