Bug Bombing House

[sfin52]

OK, so I am wanting to build a SW tank after having been into FW for a long time. But I am concerned given the more sensitive nature of SW tanks. I live in a house that has had a history of brown recluse spiders. The first summer my wife and I lived in this house, I don't think a day went by that we did not kill a half a dozen or so. I have spoken with a number of people in the pest control business, and I have been told that the "professional" treatments are not terribly effective at getting rid of them. What we have found that works to a fairly good extent is, every year or so, to set off a few (three or four) bug bombs at once inside, with another up in the overhead, and one in the crawlspace.

Has any one with a tank bombed their house, and did it have an effect on your tank? I am concerned that with all that poison in the air, some of it might find its way into the water and harm the tank's inhabitants. Or, I could just be worrying about a non-existent threat.

Regards

@C. Eymann about covered it. They can survive high heat and feed off dead insects. They can change color based on what they are eating.
Physical traps is glue boards may give indication of servarity of problem and will only catch males and juveniles
Dust are effective. Liquid (recomend onslaught fast cap) on the exterior and dust behind shutters and siding. Modifying the exterior will help prevent them from finding harborage around the home.

If you want 100 percent gone quickly a company that deals with vicane gas will eliminate them in the house. Make sure they use a high enough concentration to kill eggs.

They only bite in self defense. We are not food. The bite you won't feel only penatrates the first couple layers of the skin. The fangs are smaller than a bees stinger.
Most reported brown recluse bites are not. They are some misunderstood spiders.

 

[Freshy]

Thank you all for the information. No, I am not sure of the species. We were told they were recluses by the home inspector, and I think, if I recall correctly that he based this off of seeing the exoskeletons. We have compared pictures on the Internet (so, you know, a reliable source), and to our untrained eyes they look like recluses. In other words, they seem to have that fiddle on their backs.

I did not think the bombs were killing them so much. Rather, I assumed the bombs were killing their preferred food, and they were moving on to find greener pastures. Or, it could just be coincidence and purely our perception that the bombs are working.

My freshwater fish do not seem to be bothered much by the bombs. But I figured marine animals would be a lot more susceptible to them.

Covering the tank may work. My plans for a tank are as follows:

Cobalt C-VUE 40 tank with Caribsea Special Grade live sand with maybe some ARC Reef rock. Going FOWLR for probably a year with either a Fluval Marine 3.0 light or a single Kessil 160. Getting the obligatory pair of clowns (not sure which kind yet), and then maybe a yellow tail or Starcki Damsel (I like the colors), and then.... I don't really know.

I thought maybe after a year or so when I had my tank stable, I might change out the Fluval light or acquire another Kessil and start with some corals, GSP or Xenias.

So, I was not going to go with a skimmer, at least not initially until it looks like I need one.

Suggestions or recommendations are always welcome.

Regards

 

[sfin52]

Thank you all for the information. No, I am not sure of the species. We were told they were recluses by the home inspector, and I think, if I recall correctly that he based this off of seeing the exoskeletons. We have compared pictures on the Internet (so, you know, a reliable source), and to our untrained eyes they look like recluses. In other words, they seem to have that fiddle on their backs.

I did not think the bombs were killing them so much. Rather, I assumed the bombs were killing their preferred food, and they were moving on to find greener pastures. Or, it could just be coincidence and purely our perception that the bombs are working.

My freshwater fish do not seem to be bothered much by the bombs. But I figured marine animals would be a lot more susceptible to them.

Covering the tank may work. My plans for a tank are as follows:

Cobalt C-VUE 40 tank with Caribsea Special Grade live sand with maybe some ARC Reef rock. Going FOWLR for probably a year with either a Fluval Marine 3.0 light or a single Kessil 160. Getting the obligatory pair of clowns (not sure which kind yet), and then maybe a yellow tail or Starcki Damsel (I like the colors), and then.... I don't really know.

I thought maybe after a year or so when I had my tank stable, I might change out the Fluval light or acquire another Kessil and start with some corals, GSP or Xenias.

So, I was not going to go with a skimmer, at least not initially until it looks like I need one.

Suggestions or recommendations are always welcome.

Regards

The fluval led have thier place but you can find much better with about same price tag

 

[DrZoidburg]

If no one has mentioned this. I have had to drop foggers for spiders. What worked for me was cover the tank in saran wrap. Shut of skimmer or cover anything that would draw in air.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Thank you for the quick replies.

Yeah, we were pretty grossed out as well the first year. The house had been foreclosed on and was a huge mess when we got it. It was a ton of work just to get it livable again.

As for the spiders, they are livable now. I think I may have killed 5 or 6 this whole summer, and given how hot it has been, I am mildly surprised. If we let it go for a couple of years, they definitely increase, but as long as we keep up the bombing, they stay manageable.

Regards

I thought the brown recluse spider was poisonous ?

 

[sergifed91]

I have used bug bombs. Effective to a point. I have seen black widows in my basement and other types of spiders. I used ortho bug begone inside now. And outside I use another bug treatment and it helps with all bugs. This year is the first time I have had ants in my house. Found a huge colony in my yard since using a new treatment in my yard the ants and spiders have disappeared.

 

[sfin52]

If no one has mentioned this. I have had to drop foggers for spiders. What worked for me was cover the tank in saran wrap. Shut of skimmer or cover anything that would draw in air.

Thats the same as bug bombs. And thats exactly what you should do to protect the tank. Those type of treatments are ineffective against brown recluse

 

[sfin52]

I thought the brown recluse spider was poisonous ?

Venomous. They are but the danger is exaggerated. They can be very harmful but they aren't quick to bite. The bite is defensive.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

Venomous. They are but the danger is exaggerated. They can be very harmful but they aren't quick to bite. The bite is defensive.

Still not sure I would ever even take that chance. Even if it was an accidentally provoked bite could still be dangerous. I’m sure I’m the only one but I would be looking for new house. Not cause I’m scared of spiders but cause I’m scared of the possibility

 

[sfin52]

I

I have used bug bombs. Effective to a point. I have seen black widows in my basement and other types of spiders. I used ortho bug begone inside now. And outside I use another bug treatment and it helps with all bugs. This year is the first time I have had ants in my house. Found a huge colony in my yard since using a new treatment in my yard the ants and spiders have disappeared.

Highy doubt you have black widows in your basement. Most likely a house spider that resembles them. The common house spider is in the widow family but does not pose threats to people.

I've been in the bug business for 16 years and twice I seen a northern widow. Both times on the exterior in a rodent bait station.

 

[sfin52]

Still not sure I would ever even take that chance. Even if it was an accidentally provoked bite could still be dangerous. I’m sure I’m the only one but I would be looking for new house. Not cause I’m scared of spiders but cause I’m scared of the possibility

I understand that but there's treatments.

 

[DrZoidburg]

Think most of mine were wolf type spiders. Another black/white one I forget exact name which could cause problems if bitten. Did a good job but they always come back. Doesn't really bother me but the other people in hose it does.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I understand that but there's treatments.

Yes if they actually worked and did not have to be re applied over and over thru the years. Imagine having a huge Extensive reef system that you have to continually worry about as your bombing

 

[DrZoidburg]

They call them recluse for a reason. Though chances could cause you to be bitten.

 

[sfin52]

Yes if they actually worked and did not have to be re applied over and over thru the years. Imagine having a huge Extensive reef system that you have to continually worry about as your bombing

We just stated that bombs don't work for them. Other treatments don't wont do that to reef tanks.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

IMO if house needs to be bombed all the time don’t even think about a saltwater tank till you have not seen a spider or thought about bombing for at least a year

 

[sfin52]

IMO if house needs to be bombed all the time don’t even think about a saltwater tank till you have not seen a spider or thought about bombing for at least a year

Good luck not seeing a spider. Your never more than 2 ft away from a spider. Its managing a population. Brown recluse are different.

 

[DrZoidburg]

I always notice mine are seasonal. Spring and fall mainly. Fall time can see some monster sized ones some time trying to get into the house.

 

[sfin52]

I always notice mine are seasonal. Spring and fall mainly. Fall time can see some monster sized ones some time trying to get into the house.

Trying to find shelter from the cold.

 

[Freshy]

I was bit by something some years back. Developed a good sized welt on my back and a black bruise like ring around it, about the size of a tennis ball, but it went away. Took about a week. But for the most part, they are merely a nuisance, not really a serious threat.

If the foggers are not all that effective, and it is just our imagination making us think there are fewer of them since we bombed the house, then maybe we need to consider the alternatives you have pointed out. It could just be the simple fact that we do now, and have for some time, kept the house much cleaner than the previous occupants, and not the foggers that are responsible for the apparent decline in their numbers.

So, I will take your advice seriously and maybe just forego the bombs for now, and if the spiders start growing in frequency, try to find someone in pest control with experience in getting rid of them.

And you all are right. They do tend to shy away from you.

Regards