Lessons Learned Issued in 2003
Bugs, Spiders, Bees, and Wasps Can Be More than Just Nuisances

Date: September 22, 2003

Identifier: 2003-RL-HNF-0026

Lessons Learned Summary:
Bites from several species of local venomous spiders can be very painful and may be life threatening to sensitive individuals. Some simple precautions can help prevent bug bites.

Bee and wasp nests have been found in some unexpected places around Hanford, including caps on gas cylinders and CONEX box lifting eyes.

Discussion of Activities:
Over the past few years a significant number of employees have been bitten by spiders when donning clothes or shoes. Some of those people have had serious reactions to their bites, which then developed into severe wounds. A few have had life threatening complications. Professional medical treatment has been required, including extreme wound care, injections, intravenous medications, and even hospitalization.

Recently bee/wasp nests were discovered in lifting eyes on a CONEX box as shown below.

Analysis:
Harmful arthropods in the region that can produce a painful sting or bite include bees, wasps, hornets, ants, black widow spiders, yellow sac spiders, hobo spiders, mosquitoes (may carry West Nile virus), ticks, and scorpions. Over the past year, bites and stings have been the fifth most common injury accident here at Hanford with a steady increase seen over the past few years. Recent mild winters have allowed the local insect populations to flourish. As winter approaches and the nights cool off, many animals are starting to look for winter shelter. We often see them entering our living and working spaces. See the Recommended Actions section below for suggestions to help protect us from these creeping critters at home and at work.

Miscellaneous hobo spider (also known as aggressive house spiders) facts:

• Hobo spider webs have a characteristic funnel shape.
• Hobo spiders were first introduced into the United States in the early 1900's through Seattle and have now spread as far south as Utah and east into Wyoming and Montana.
• Giant house spiders are natural competitors of the hobo spider. Avoid killing the large furry arachnids. (See references for tips on telling the difference.)
• Most encounters with hobo spiders will occur in the late summer and fall (hobo mating season). Males are on the search for females, so they will be running everywhere in hopes of an encounter.
• When males enter a house, it is usually through ground level or below ground level openings. Hobo spiders rarely climb very high.
• Hobo spider bites can cause systemic reactions include most allergy symptoms such as nausea, fever, headaches, and joint soreness.

Recommended actions:

1. Before dressing, shake out clothing, shoes, and hats.
2. When working in crawl spaces and other potential spider habitats wear long sleeves tucked into gloves, pants tucked into boots, and a jacket with a hood. Snug rubber bands can be used on shirt sleeves and pant legs to further prevent spider ingress.
3. Be particularly alert to bee and wasp nests in unexpected locations.
4. If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, that may cause a particularly severe reaction to a bite or sting, seek immediate medical assistance if you receive such bite or sting. If you have been prescribed emergency medications (e.g. epinephrine pen) carry them whenever you are outdoors, including during building evacuation drills.
5. Block off areas where spiders and other insects can enter your house or office, such as vent louvers, crawl space entries, openings under doors, etc.
6. Call 376-PEST (376-7378) for assistance in controlling infestations.
7. Sticky traps, available in most hardware stores, can be quite effective in areas where many spiders are traveling.

Estimated Savings/Cost Avoidance: Up to thousands of dollars in medical expenses and lost work time for severe cases.

Priority Descriptor:  BLUE/Information

Work / Function:  Business and Support Services; Operations - Facility; Other

Hanford-Defined Category:  N/A

Hazard(s):  Plants/Animals/Insects

ISM Core Function(s):  Analyze Hazards

Originator:  Fluor Hanford, Inc. Submitted by Kevin Hooper and Joe Maday.

Contact:  Project Hanford Lessons Learned Coordinator; (509) 373-7664; FAX 372-3950; e-mail: PHMC_Lessons_Learned@rl.gov

Authorized Derivative Classifier: Not required

Reviewing Official: John Bickford

Keywords:  spider, venom, scorpion, arachnidism

References: 
Washington State University's web site at: http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/homehort/pest/hobo.html,
University of California, Pest Note: http://spiders.ucr.edu/pnhobospider.pdf