Toll Free: 1(800) 328-2847 Newberg: (503) 538-3992 McMinnville: (503) 434-2847
Wash. County: (503) 644-3329 Grants Pass (541) 582-0800 Fax: (503) 538-0125
Serving Newberg, McMinnville, Dayton, Dundee, St. Paul, Carlton, Sheridan, Willamina, Amity, Laffayette, Wilsonville, and Yamhill County, Oregon, as well as Grants Pass and Surrounding areas.
Spiders
Black Widow
A venomeous spider species found in the western regions of the United States.
The female's body is black, often with an hourglass-shaped red mark on the lower abdomen.
The male of the species is generally a tan color with lighter striping on the abdomen
The species, as with others of the genus, build irregular webs, the strands of which are very strong
Symptoms
Black widow spider venom contains components known as latrotoxins, which cause the release
of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, stimulating muscle contractions. This can affect
the body in several ways, including causing painful abdominal cramps, as well as interfering
with respiration, and causing other systemic effects.
Treatment
If the above symtoms are present, get the victim to a medical facility. In severe
cases, narcotic pain relievers are used to treat the pain. There is an anti-venom for
black widow toxin, but some are allergic, so a skin test is needed. Very rarely does
a life-threatening complication occur in healthy adults.

Photo Courtesy of Sara Conyers
Brown Recluse
Spiders known to have necrotic venom are found in the family Sicariidae, a family which includes
the Brown Recluse Spider. Bites by spiders in this family can produce symptoms ranging from
minor localized effect to severe dermonecrotic lesions and systemic reactions including renal failure,
and in some cases, kidney failure, coma and death. The bite may for a necrotising ulcer that
destroys soft tissue and may take months to heal.
Treatment
There is no known anti-venom for the Brown Recluse Spider bite. Initial treatment of ice
packs to reduce pain and swelling and then elevating the affected limb above the heart may
reduce the spreading of the toxin throughout the body.

Hobo Spider
Hobo spiders sometimes build their webs in or around human habitations. Althought this species
of spider has a reputation for aggresssiveness, they will normally avoid contact with humans.
Most bites occur when the spider is accidentally crushed or squeezed by a human. The spider's venom
is strong enough to cause considerable local pain and possibly necrosis. If the bite occurs in fatty
tissue, the wound may not heal for up to three years! Bite victims generally recover and death is rare,
but skin grafts and amputations may be requires. Treatment is similar to a Brown Recluse bite.
So...What's the solution?
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serving the Pacific Northwest since 1987.
We are your Spider experts!
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