View Full Version : What to do in an emergency?
Ok After my last visit where I got stung 80 times by fire ants and had an allergic reaction to them.. (those of you who dont know- dont panic- it is very rare!!! )
I wish to be prepared - call me a pessimist hey!!! [msncry]Im being well prepared!!![msnwink]
So If we should get bitten by a brown recluse or black widow what do we do????? and how do we know what kind of spider bit us?
Presumably these are things that they brief all schoolkids on in US?? Like what todo if there's a hurricaine- Ive read enough about that one though.....
are there any answers to my spider question 1st... then are there any other situations we might need to be prepared for......
Most home owners will have prepared a list of 'what to dos' for their guests in their Florida Home Book and it's also what we have management companies for! ;)
You're really unlikely to be bitten by any spider either inside a home or inside a pool cage (they're not called 'recluse' spiders for nothing!) because of regular pest control methods used in all Florida villa homes.
Generally though, if you're bitten by anything and it looks serious, then try to capture it (so that it can be identified), even if you have to squash it! Go to the nearest Pharmacy without delay if you're in the least bit worried or the bitten area swells up, turns red or is unusually painful.
chrizzy100
25-10-2004, 20:10
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Joolz
Ok After my last visit where I got stung 80 times by fire ants and had an allergic reaction to them.. (those of you who dont know- dont panic- it is very rare!!! )
I wish to be prepared - call me a pessimist hey!!! [msncry]Im being well prepared!!![msnwink]
So If we should get bitten by a brown recluse or black widow what do we do????? and how do we know what kind of spider bit us?
Presumably these are things that they brief all schoolkids on in US?? Like what todo if there's a hurricaine- Ive read enough about that one though.....
are there any answers to my spider question 1st... then are there any other situations we might need to be prepared for......
[/quote]
Most owners have their homes sprayed for bugs......spiders like black widows don't always died with a home spray unless they are in or around the home at the time....I've used half a can of spray on a black widow before it died....I've yet to find one indoors......I've had them in the garage and on the front and back doors.....so I never leave any doors open to the ouside world unless they have a screen on them.....
I would see a doctor for any spider bite.....more so with young children and old people.....the recluse spider I've yet to see....but that bite really does need to be seen by a doctor...
I was told I'd be lucky to see a black widow.....and so far I've seen 7 around my house....I put that down to land clearing......and that once building work is finishes the amount I get to see will go down.....
ctgirlscout
25-10-2004, 20:22
Yes, if you get bit by the Brown Recluse or Black Widow, see a doctor, or go to the emergency room. It is highly unlikely that you will get bit (or you may not know that you have been bit for a while), but once you determine that you have, get it treated. You can get seriously ill from one of these bites if left untreated.
Nostromo
25-10-2004, 20:47
Majority of insect bites are not dangerous unless one is specifically hypersensitive to a particular type eg wasps. Even Black Widow bites need not be fatal contrary to popular belief, except for small children. The rule is:
- If you don't know what insect bit you or your child and the victim is showing signs of illness (intense local reaction, vomiting, breathing difficulties etc), see a doctor immediatly.
- If you are aware of what the insect is and the victim shows only local reaction (redness and swelling at the site of bite), application of an antihistamine cream often helps. Also, keep some Piriton tablets handy and these can quick and effective. Both can be had without prescription in the UK and US.
Finally, if in doubt - see a doctor. Better safe than sorry.
chrizzy100
25-10-2004, 21:30
These spiders spin small, irregular webs under bark, stones or other secluded areas. Their venom is especially poisonous to people; those bitten often become ill and find that the wound does not heal quickly. Both male and female recluse spiders, as well as their spiderlings, are capable of injecting venom which may result in serious lesion formation or systemic reactions. The severity of the bite may vary. The symptoms may vary from no harm at all to a reaction that is quite severe.
Usually, the brown recluse spider bite is not felt and the pain sets in from six to eight hours later. A typical bite area may resemble a pimple, postule or blister formation within six to 12 hours later. Mild to severe pain accompanied by swelling may occur during this interval. The surrounding tissue begins to darken, is irregular in shape with sharply raised edges resulting in a sunken area which may be several centimeters in diameter. Often there is a systemic reaction within 24-36 hours characterized by restlessness, fever, chills, nausea, weakness, and joint pain.
Where the bite occurs there is often tissue death and skin is sloughed off. In some severe cases, a wound may develop that lasts several months. In all cases, a physician should be notified. If at all possible, kill and take the spider to the physician for positive identification. Individual spiders can be crushed underfoot or sprayed with an aerosol spray.
chrizzy100
25-10-2004, 21:32
Of all spiders, the Black Widow is the most feared. The female’s venom is especially poisonous to people. Despite its reputation, this spider often attempts to escape rather than bite, unless it is guarding an egg mass or if it is cornered and pressed. The male black widow will not bite you. After mating, the female sometimes eats the male (remember, she only has to mate once in her life), earning the name "widow." During the period shortly following mating and laying of eggs, the female black widow can be a little cranky and hungry. After this period (if he lives through it!) the male lives quite comfortably, eating prey captured by the female. The development of his venom sacs stop and become inactive as the male matures, thus making him less of a potential problem than his female counterpart.
The bite of the female black widow spider may not always be felt at first and besides slight local swelling, there is usually little evidence of a lesion. Two tiny red spots can sometimes be observed in the center of the swollen area. Most of the time, pain at the site of the bite occurs immediately and becomes most intense after about three hours. An overall aching of the body, especially the legs, are common reactions. Headache, elevated blood pressure, nausea and profuse perspiration may occur in severe cases. The condition is self-limiting and in most cases symptoms disappear in two or three days.
Thanks for that information...
Forewarned is fore armed so they say!!!
Thanks Chrizzy!!!
That's really cheered me up NOT!
I go to Florida in 2 weeks time to stay in my brand new villa on a brand new estate. I am now going to ring my management company and ask them to double dose my home with whatever kills spiders, I'm not fussy what type they are I just want them all DEAD!
If I get bitten by anything I will be dialling 911 as fast as I can, I'm not a whimp i'm just naturally cautious
[msnembarrased]
chrizzy100
26-10-2004, 01:24
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Jules
Thanks Chrizzy!!!
That's really cheered me up NOT!
I go to Florida in 2 weeks time to stay in my brand new villa on a brand new estate. I am now going to ring my management company and ask them to double dose my home with whatever kills spiders, I'm not fussy what type they are I just want them all DEAD!
If I get bitten by anything I will be dialling 911 as fast as I can, I'm not a whimp i'm just naturally cautious
[msnembarrased]
[/quote]
Really if you have a good spray company......the only spiders you'll see inside after the first spray are dead ones......you can buy a good spray from Home Depot for $6....or a can for $1:99......and all your troubles are over.....my mother has a bad reaction to even a small spider bite.....and she was very happy that in the whole 4 weeks of her stay she never saw one.....dead or alive....I was the one who had that honer...and not knowing how to deal with the spiders or how they nest nearly got me bite.......so its best to know how to deal with it....its a fact of life in FL......and if the black widows keep away from my doors....I'm happy to let then have their bit of the garden.......:D
Oh yuk!! I wish I hadn't read this thread now [:O][:O] BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS!!! Please someone make my day and tell me that all the nasty creepy crawlies hibernate in January when we'll be there. Or perhaps they are more active then. Not sure I want to know the answer to my own question[confused][msnscared]
ctgirlscout
26-10-2004, 06:04
They are not as active in the cooler weather. And if it makes you feel any better, we are always in FL in July, when its hottest, and I have NEVER seen either of these types of spiders!
In case you really do get bitten or have some other type of medical emergency, a good walk-in urgent care facility to visit would be Florida Hospital Centra Care. They have 3 locations:
Near Crossroads Shopping Center & Hotel Plaza Blvd.
12500 South Apopka-Vineland Rd.
Near Disney Main Gate & Splendid China
7848 West 192
Near Medieval Times & Bass Road
4320 W. Vine Street
Hopefully, you won't be needing this information, but it's good to have on hand just in case so your not scrambling at the last minute without a plan! As you say, you would like to be prepared!
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ctgirlscout
They are not as active in the cooler weather. And if it makes you feel any better, we are always in FL in July, when its hottest, and I have NEVER seen either of these types of spiders!
[/quote]
Thank you for that - I stand a chance of some sleep tonight now! [msnsmile]
I actually don't mind spiders in the UK, but I'm worried about my son getting bitten by anything nasty. We went to Australia in 1999 and stayed with some friends. Their son took great delight in showing us a book of indigenous spiders more or less as soon as we had arrived. I think he got a kick out of scaring two very jet-lagged people. Thankfully my son was too young to understand our fears! The worst spider in Perth was the red-back, which is actually very small. They told us to make sure we shook our shoes and clothing before putting them on, as the spiders won't actively seek you out but will bite if cornered! Well, I spent the first week shaking everything in sight - I had bought a new dress from a store in Perth, and when I shook it a piece of thread fell off it. I SCREAMED the house down![msnscared][msncry].
chrizzy100
26-10-2004, 06:22
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Fletch
Oh yuk!! I wish I hadn't read this thread now [:O][:O] BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS!!! Please someone make my day and tell me that all the nasty creepy crawlies hibernate in January when we'll be there. Or perhaps they are more active then. Not sure I want to know the answer to my own question[confused][msnscared]
[/quote]
We only had one female in January......one male in May.......the rest were in July.....it was really interesting because one female had a nest in our back door....by the lock...I'm so glad I never opened that door before going round the house to remove the wild life........
heathercobbett
26-10-2004, 11:40
I believe most or all homeowners have 24 hour m.c. coverage and they are your best first port of call.Obviously you would only call out of office hours for a real emergency,but I doubt if you could throw anything at them that they havent dealt with before.
Our agent had one guest who phoned up late at night to complain about the weather! and another who called at 2 am to say that one (of 4) loos was not working quite right. They also had a guy who decided to have a drive round on the first day and forgot where his villa was.Being a guy,it was 12 hours before he admitted defeat and asked for help! In the meantime,our m.c. held the wifes hand and made sure they were reunited as soon as possible
(HOW MANY ROADS MUST A MAN GO DOWN,BEFORE HE ADMITS HE IS LOST?)Or is it only my guy?