Beware of the poisonous redback spider and gray widow spider

Poisonous redback spiders and gray widow spiders, as well as their egg sacs, have been found in the city.
Redback spiders and gray widow spiders are designated alien species, but they have been confirmed all over Japan, and are thought to have become established in Japan.
If you find a similar spider in your garden, please do not panic and take appropriate action by referring to the extermination methods listed below.
Both spiders are timid and docile, and are not aggressive, but they are highly poisonous, so even if you find one, be careful not to catch it with bare hands or touch it.
You will not be bitten if you do not provoke them, but if you are bitten, wash the bitten area with water and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

How to exterminate

In addition to using commercially available pyrethroid insecticides, you can also use physical methods such as pouring boiling water on them or crushing them with your shoes. Please use).
If you crush an egg sac with your shoe, wash the soles of your shoes thoroughly to prevent spiders from hatching from the remaining egg sac.
Also, if you find one, there is a possibility that it is lurking around, so please be careful and check carefully.

Symptoms of being bitten

It is said that the pain feels like being stung by a needle, and the pain spreads beyond the bite site.
Symptoms such as muscle pain and headaches may continue for several weeks.
There have been reports of severe cases such as muscle paralysis, so caution is required.

What to do if you are bitten

If you are bitten by a spider, please seek medical attention immediately.
In severe cases, treatment with antitoxin serum is required.
If possible, bring the killed spider to the hospital so they can determine the type of spider that bit you.

Characteristics of the redback spider

• The body length of females is approximately 7 to 10 mm, while that of males is approximately 4 to 5 mm (body length is the length from the tip of the head to the tip of the abdomen, not including the length of the legs).
• It is highly venomous and only the females are harmful; the males are not venomous.
• The entire body is shiny black, with a conspicuous red longitudinal stripe on the back of the large, globular abdomen.
• There is a red hourglass-shaped pattern on the abdomen.
• They live in the shade and crevices in sunny or warm places.

Characteristics of the gray widow spider

• Females are about 7 to 10 mm long, while males are about 3 to 4 mm long (body length is measured from the tip of the head to the tip of the abdomen, not including the length of the legs).
• It is highly venomous and only the females are harmful; the males are not venomous.
• They vary in color, with a rounded body that can be gray or brown, and dotted with fringed markings on the back of the abdomen.
• There is a red hourglass-shaped pattern on the abdomen.
• They live in the shade and crevices in sunny or warm places.

Redback and gray widow spiders can be found in urban areas, such as in the gratings of road gutters, the joints of chain-link fences, under vending machines, in small crevices such as garbage cans, on water faucets, and in water and gas meter boxes. It may also adhere to umbrellas, clothes, toys, etc. left outdoors and be brought indoors.
It is a spider that can live throughout the year, staying out of the cold in a small space with heat-insulating material during the coldest months, and spending time in a small space with better insulation during the hotter months. Make sure to frequently clean areas where spiders are likely to live to make the environment inhospitable to spiders.
Only females are poisonous, and when bitten, you will feel a sharp pain similar to being stung by a needle, and if the symptoms are severe, the pain may spread throughout the body and cause nausea and headaches.
Insects can be killed by spraying with commercially available household insecticides. You can also protect yourself by wearing rubber gloves when working outdoors, such as cleaning or tending flower beds.