2024-07-07 00:06:20
Reproduction: Flip
Small and seemingly harmless, the brown recluse spider is one of the most venomous. It can be found inside houses.
The Ministry of Health reported that at least 149 accidents related to spiders were recorded in 2024 alone in the state of São Paulo. Of this, 60 incidents were caused by three of the world’s most dangerous arachnids. The attacks are concentrated in Baixada Santista, on the coast of São Paulo, and in Vale do Ribeiro, in the interior of the state. Data were obtained at g1.
According to data from the Epidemiological Surveillance Center (CVE), 73 accidents related to spiders were reported in Baixada Santista, 22 of them caused by brown spiders (Loxosceles), four by spiders (Phoneutria) and one black widow (Latrodectus). All three are among the most dangerous people in the world.
In Vale do Ribeira there were 76 cases, 20 with armor and 13 with brown. The other 43 cases were caused by types of spiders that are considered less dangerous.
The Ministry of Health warns that the bite of these spiders can cause serious accidents in humans, such as skin necrosis, amputation of limbs and even death as a result. So far, no deaths have been reported in Brazil.
Meet the three spiders:
Loxosceles – Known as the brown or violin spider. Generally, this spider bites when pressed against the body. On average, they are one centimeter in body and up to three in total length. They have nocturnal habits and build irregular webs, like “broken cotton”. They hide in tiles, bricks, wood, behind or under furniture, pictures, baseboards, boxes or things stored in warehouses, garages, basements, and other environments with little lighting and movement.
Phoneutria – Commonly known as armor spiders or monkey spiders. They are quite aggressive, assuming a defensive stance jumping up to 40 cm away. The body can reach 4 cm, with 15 cm on its wing. They are hunting spiders, active at night. They shelter under trunks, palm trees, bromeliads and between banana leaves. They can also be deposited in shoes, behind furniture, curtains, under vases, debris, building materials, etc.
Latrodectus – These are the famous black widow spiders. They are not aggressive. Females can reach 2 cm and males smaller, 2 to 3 mm. They are nocturnal and tend to live in groups. They make irregular webs in bushes, grasses, coconut shells, rain gutters or under rocks. They are found near or inside houses, in shady environments, such as cracks, under chairs and tables in gardens.
Prevention
– Keep gardens and yards clean. Avoid accumulation of debris, dry leaves, household waste and building materials near houses.
– Avoid dense foliage (ornamental plants, climbing plants, bushes, banana trees and others) near the walls of houses. Keep the grass trimmed.
– Periodically clean neighboring vacant lots, at least within a meter or two near the houses.
– Shake out clothes and shoes before you use them, because spiders and scorpions can hide in them and bite them when pressed against the body.
– Do not put your hands in holes, under rocks and rotten logs.
– Accidents can be prevented by wearing leather shoes and gloves.
– Seal doors and windowsills when it gets dark, as many of these animals are nocturnal.
– Seal gaps and holes in walls, floors and gaps between lining and walls, repair loose baseboards, sandbag doors and screens on windows.
– Use screens on floor drains, sinks or tanks.
– Combat the proliferation of insects to prevent the appearance of spiders that feed on them.
– Move beds and cribs away from the walls. Prevent bed linen and mosquito nets from touching the floor. Inspect shoes and sneakers before you put them on.
– To preserve the natural enemies of scorpions and spiders: night birds (owls, owls), lizards, frogs, chickens, geese, monkeys, coots, among others (in rural areas).
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