Don’t Let Spiders Spook You Out Of House And Home (NAPSA)—Few creatures invoke both fear and fascination, but spiders hatch both. Most people associate these eight-legged creepy crawlers with cobwebs and dark corners, creating a sense of fear. A quarter of all American homeowners admit to having fearful feelings about spiders, and the numbers almost double with people between the ages of 18 and 24, accordingto a fall 2006 Orkin sur- vey. However, along with this fear comes fascination—many people are intrigued by spiders’ intricate webs and unique appearances. With over 35,000 identified species of spiders worldwide, you have no doubt encountered many of these pests in your home and yard, and there is good reason to experience both fear and fascination. Some spiders have venomous bites and can be harmful to your health, and a spider in the home can indicate a pest infestation because these arthropods eat insects and only live where there is a food source nearby. However, many of these critters can actually protect your home from other invading pests by hunting small flying or soft- bodied insects such assilverfish, crickets and cockroaches. “While most spiders are harmless creatures, a few species are venomous and potentially harmful,” shares Frank Meek, entomologist and technical director for Orkin, Inc. “The black widow, brownrecluse, hobo and yellow sac spiders can cause concern due to the dangerous nature of their bites.” The venom from these spiders’ bites can cause various symptoms including painful burning Although spiders may send shivers up your spine, many are harmless and can actually protect your home from other invading pests by hunting small insects such as silverfish, crick- ets and cockroaches. sensations, weakness, nausea, open sores and skin loss. According to Meek, the key to keeping yourself safe from spiders is proper identification and prevention. A licensed pest control expert is best equipped to treat and control potentially dangerous spider infestations. But you, too, can pre- vent these pests from spooking you out of house and homebyfollowing a few simple steps: Removeall noticeable cobwebs and egg sacs from your home with a vacuum. Clean up all food and liquid spills immediately. Seal all openings of food containers in your home. Remove spiders’ source of food: other bugs. To avoid feeling shivers up your spine from a_ spider encounter, take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family from a potentially harmful spider infestation. For more information on spiders, visit the Learning Center on www.orkin.com or call (800) 800ORKIN.
