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As we approach the time when we all begin to unpack Christmas decorations, it’s a great time to remind you to look out for spiders! Four or five years ago, I was unpacking Christmas decorations from the garage and I noticed a cool looking spider – kind of a different color from the ones you see.

Fortunately, I have always had a system in place where I unpack boxes and containers outside, then bring the decorations inside, one at a time. I’m paranoid about spiders and mice, and this particular time, it turned out to prove to be helpful. When I took a closer look, I saw the telltale “violin” on the spider’s back and knew it was a very dangerous brown recluse.

Needless to say, he wasn’t invited in the house.

Always be extra careful when unpacking boxes (even totes – mice sometimes chew small holes in these.. holes big enough for spiders to crawl through). Whether you keep your boxes in closets, garages, building, storage units, or attics – there is simply no place you can keep them that makes it’s 100 percent safe from spiders.

So be careful!

Needless to say, spiders are a danger year round and getting bit by one can mean anything from an itchy, sore spot for a few days to antibiotics ore even a stay in the hospital… or worse.  Never take a spider bite for granted.

Below is information for what you should do if you ever ARE bitten by a spider.

Know what spider bites look like, what symptoms to watch out for and what you should do if you are bitten.