Pest Control - Arthropod Control - Arachnids - Mites
Arachnids
Spiders
In spider control, hygiene and cleanliness are important deterrent factors; however, spiders also appear in the cleanest spaces, whether professional or not. Most spiders do not harm humans, but their presence is unpleasant, and their webs indicate neglect and disorder. Spiders prefer dark and protected spaces where they feed on insects that are captured, thus forming piles of consumed insects beneath their webs.
Most spiders are not capable of harming humans. However, there are some spider species whose bites are particularly painful, causing destruction of cells near the bite, even nervous paralysis, or death.
Although a spider bite is not of great medical importance, it is worth noting that many people have an innate fear of spiders. Spiders rarely bite humans, while only two species are considered dangerous — the black widow and the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa).
There are more than 35,000 spider species worldwide. Spiders exist in a wide variety of colors and sizes, but all are recognizable by their 8 legs and the clear separation, or constriction, between the cephalothorax and the abdomen. Spiders are beneficial organisms, as they feed on many types of insects, including several harmful ones, e.g. mosquitoes, etc.
Some of the most common spider species found are:
Common House Spider (family Pholcidae)
A spider most commonly found inside homes, such as Pholcus phalangioides, with very long and thin legs. Its body vibrates rapidly in the web when disturbed.
family Lycosidae (Wolf Spider)
Large in size, “hairy”, often mistakenly considered to be a tarantula. Its leg span can reach 7.5cm.
Spider of the family Clubionidae
It is often light yellow, gray, or green in color. This species is probably responsible for most bites that occur indoors.
Spiders are very likely to invade your space in search of a warm, small, and dark place. Most spiders cause nuisance due to their webs.
Treatment
Spiders are more likely to enter your home in autumn, looking for a warm place to spend the winter. There are several ways that will help you prevent and control spider problems in your home:
• Vacuum regularly.
• Remove visible webs.
• Fill gaps in walls and under doors to prevent their entry.
• Remove anything near your home that may provide shelter for spiders, such as piles of wood and manure heaps.
• Use lighting in such a way that it is less attractive to the insects on which spiders feed.
Many people try to deal with spider problems using products available in retail stores, but the results are often less than satisfactory. Small-scale problems can develop into major ones, and that is when many seek the services of a professional pest control provider.
Our scientific staff and technicians are specialized, experienced professionals and regularly attend training programs. They know the habits of each pest species and use this knowledge when designing a pest control program.
Mites
Mites are microscopic arthropods. When magnified, they look like tiny spiders. They are divided into various species, some of which are plant parasites and are found outdoors. Some are household parasites, such as dust mites, which are responsible for causing allergies, such as dermatitis, allergic asthma, etc. This category also includes some blood-sucking species, mold mites, and scabies mites. The former cause bites on the skin, mold mites appear in areas with low temperatures and the presence of fungi (mold), while the latter enter beneath the skin, creating characteristic rashes.
The species we encounter most often are dust mites. They mainly appear in mattresses, sofas, and carpets. These surfaces are the most important shelters. They feed mainly on the cells shed by the epidermis and quickly develop into large populations. On the same surfaces, although more rarely, we encounter the species that cause bites. Scabies mites survive only inside the host’s epidermis.
Groups of mites that concern us:
Genus Dermatophagoides (Family Pyroglyphidae): Dust Mites
Their name comes from the fact that they can easily be carried with dust. Adult mites measure up to 0.33mm, with an oval and flattened body. Their color is whitish and they have long grooves on their back. Due to their size, we cannot easily distinguish them with the naked eye, but only with the use of a magnifying glass.
Biology
Dust mites have three stages of development: egg, nymph, and adult. Their biological cycle lasts from a few days to several months and depends on the species and environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity.
The development of the dust mite population is affected by temperatures, the relative humidity of the space, and the availability of food. High temperatures and humidity favor mite reproduction. One gram of dust can host up to 100-400 individuals.
Treatment
Dust mites are transferred from one space to another through clothing. Their reproduction is rapid, causing them to spread very quickly. The presence of high humidity and fungi (mold) favors their multiplication. Therefore, satisfactory heating of the space and good ventilation contribute to proper treatment and constitute an ecological method of control. The application of friendly acaricidal products (pest control) is also helpful. In addition, cleaning mattresses using ecological methods, as well as generally cleaning the areas that serve as shelters, contributes to dealing with the problems.
Scabies: Sarcoptes scabiei
Scabies is caused by the female mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. The mites burrow into the skin to live and lay their eggs. The symptoms are due to an allergic reaction to the mites. Usually, only 10 to 15 mites are involved in the infection. Scabies is transmitted after relatively prolonged direct skin contact with an infected person, at least 10 minutes, such as during sexual contact. Transmission can occur even if the person has not developed symptoms. Crowded environments, such as nurseries and prisons, increase the risk of spread. Crusted scabies is a more severe form of the disease. It usually occurs in people with a weakened immune system and may involve millions of mites, making it more contagious. In this case, transmission can occur through brief contact or from contaminated objects. The mites are very small and not directly visible. Diagnosis is based on signs and symptoms.
Treatment
Several medications are available for the treatment of scabies, such as cream with permethrin, crotamiton and lindane, or ivermectin pills. Treatment is also administered to all people who had sexual contact with the patient during the last month and to those living in the same household. Bedding and clothing used during the last 3 days (KEELPNO recommends 7 days) should be washed with hot water and dried in a dryer. As mites do not live for more than 3 days away from human skin, no further cleaning is required. Good cleaning of the space with common detergents and the use of a vacuum cleaner are also recommended. Symptoms may continue for two to four weeks after treatment. If symptoms persist after this period, retreatment may be required.
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