ALABAMA HOUSEHOLD PEST CONTROL COMPLETE EXAM
PREPARATION - QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS -
UPDATED EDITION
Q. What are the two medically significant spiders in Alabama?
ANSWER The black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) and the brown
recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa).
Q. How can a black widow spider be identified?
ANSWER Females are shiny black, about . inches long (including legs),
with a distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of the
abdomen.
Q. Where do black widows typically live?
ANSWER Dark, undisturbed areas such as woodpiles, sheds, garages,
crawl spaces, under decks, and cluttered storage areas.
Q. What are the symptoms of a black widow bite?
ANSWER Immediate pain, muscle cramps and spasms (especially
abdominal), sweating, nausea, elevated blood pressure, and difficulty
breathing. Symptoms peak within hours and last – hours.
Q. How can a brown recluse spider be identified?
ANSWER Light to dark brown, about the size of a quarter (including
legs), with a distinctive violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax.
They have six eyes arranged in pairs.
Q. Where are brown recluse spiders found in Alabama homes?
ANSWER Dry, undisturbed areas such as attics, closets, basements,
behind furniture, in cardboard boxes, and in stored clothing.
Q. What is "loxoscelism"?
, ANSWER The medical condition caused by brown recluse venom
containing enzymes that destroy tissue (necrosis), potentially
developing into a necrotic lesion.
Q. What should be done if bitten by a brown recluse or black widow?
ANSWER Clean the bite area with soap and water, apply ice, seek
immediate medical attention, and capture the spider for identification if
possible.
Q. Are wolf spiders dangerous?
ANSWER No. They are beneficial predators that hunt other insects and
are not medically significant.
Q. What is the most common harmless spider in Alabama homes?
ANSWER Common house spiders, cellar spiders (daddy long-legs),
orb-weavers, and jumping spiders.
Q. How can spider infestations be prevented?
ANSWER Seal cracks and crevices, install tight-fitting screens, reduce
outdoor lighting, remove clutter, and control other insect populations.
Q. Do ultrasonic devices repel spiders?
ANSWER No. No scientific evidence supports their effectiveness.
Q. What is a spider web removal strategy?
ANSWER Regularly removing webs with a broom or vacuum disrupts
activity and encourages relocation.
Q. Are brown recluse spiders common throughout all of Alabama?
ANSWER Yes, found throughout Alabama, though more common in
northern and central parts.
Q. What is the lifecycle of a brown recluse spider?
ANSWER They live – years. Females produce – egg sacs containing –
eggs each. Spiderlings mature in about one year.
Q. Can foggers eliminate spider infestations?
ANSWER No. Foggers are ineffective because spiders do not groom
themselves like insects.
PREPARATION - QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS -
UPDATED EDITION
Q. What are the two medically significant spiders in Alabama?
ANSWER The black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) and the brown
recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa).
Q. How can a black widow spider be identified?
ANSWER Females are shiny black, about . inches long (including legs),
with a distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of the
abdomen.
Q. Where do black widows typically live?
ANSWER Dark, undisturbed areas such as woodpiles, sheds, garages,
crawl spaces, under decks, and cluttered storage areas.
Q. What are the symptoms of a black widow bite?
ANSWER Immediate pain, muscle cramps and spasms (especially
abdominal), sweating, nausea, elevated blood pressure, and difficulty
breathing. Symptoms peak within hours and last – hours.
Q. How can a brown recluse spider be identified?
ANSWER Light to dark brown, about the size of a quarter (including
legs), with a distinctive violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax.
They have six eyes arranged in pairs.
Q. Where are brown recluse spiders found in Alabama homes?
ANSWER Dry, undisturbed areas such as attics, closets, basements,
behind furniture, in cardboard boxes, and in stored clothing.
Q. What is "loxoscelism"?
, ANSWER The medical condition caused by brown recluse venom
containing enzymes that destroy tissue (necrosis), potentially
developing into a necrotic lesion.
Q. What should be done if bitten by a brown recluse or black widow?
ANSWER Clean the bite area with soap and water, apply ice, seek
immediate medical attention, and capture the spider for identification if
possible.
Q. Are wolf spiders dangerous?
ANSWER No. They are beneficial predators that hunt other insects and
are not medically significant.
Q. What is the most common harmless spider in Alabama homes?
ANSWER Common house spiders, cellar spiders (daddy long-legs),
orb-weavers, and jumping spiders.
Q. How can spider infestations be prevented?
ANSWER Seal cracks and crevices, install tight-fitting screens, reduce
outdoor lighting, remove clutter, and control other insect populations.
Q. Do ultrasonic devices repel spiders?
ANSWER No. No scientific evidence supports their effectiveness.
Q. What is a spider web removal strategy?
ANSWER Regularly removing webs with a broom or vacuum disrupts
activity and encourages relocation.
Q. Are brown recluse spiders common throughout all of Alabama?
ANSWER Yes, found throughout Alabama, though more common in
northern and central parts.
Q. What is the lifecycle of a brown recluse spider?
ANSWER They live – years. Females produce – egg sacs containing –
eggs each. Spiderlings mature in about one year.
Q. Can foggers eliminate spider infestations?
ANSWER No. Foggers are ineffective because spiders do not groom
themselves like insects.
