Black Widow Spiders

What do black widow spiders look like?

Black widow spiders are fairly easy to identify due to their unique physical attributes. Adult black widow spiders have rounded bodies, are shiny black in color, and have eight eyes that are arranged in two rows. Female black widows can grow to be about 1-½ inches around when their legs are fully extended; the males are typically about half of the size of the females. These spiders have a reddish-orange hourglass-shaped marking on the underside of their abdomens and may also have light red or white colored spots on their abdomens and backs. Black widow spiders also possess a comb foot which is a row of curved bristles on their hind pair of legs that allows them to cover and trap their prey in silk.

Are black widow spiders dangerous?

Black widow spiders are a species of venomous spider and do pose a danger to people. A bite from one of these spiders can cause serious health consequences; However, the good news is that black widow spider bites very rarely lead to long-term complications or death. It is also important to understand that black widow spiders are shy and non-aggressive spiders and will typically only bite a person when they feel threatened or are directly handled. When a person is bitten by a black widow, the venom affects their nervous system, causing symptoms that can include cramping of the back and stomach, tremors, fever, and labored breathing. These symptoms typically diminish within a few days. If you are ever bitten by a black widow spider, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Why do I have a black widow spider problem?

Black widow spiders are attracted to properties that provide places to create their webs. These webs can usually be found between flat rocks, in wood piles, near foundations, and inside barns, garages, sheds, and other outbuildings. Female black widow spiders rarely leave their nests and often create a small funnel in their webs to hide in when they feel threatened. While these spiders are typically found living outside, it is quite common for them to make their way inside while foraging for food. Once inside, black widow spiders can often be found hiding in places like closets, attics, crawl spaces, and underneath furniture.

How do I get rid of black widow spiders?

If you are experiencing a problem with venomous black widow spiders, the most effective solution is to contact your local pest control expert. When you partner with the professionals at Pro Active Pest Control, you can rest assured that your spider problem will be taken care of. We will partner with you, perform a thorough inspection, and create a pest control program to help exclude black widow spiders as well as the insects they feed on! We use the most modern pest control techniques and products available to control black widow spiders and a variety of other invasive pests in Northern California & Arizona. To learn more about how our pest control services covered by our 100% service guarantee can help protect your home from black widow spiders, reach out to us at Pro Active Pest Control!

How can I prevent future problems with black widow spiders?

Preventing problems with black widow spiders can be quite difficult. However, there are some steps homeowners can take to deter them and prevent them from finding their way inside. To help keep these spiders out, seal any gaps found in your home’s foundation, exterior walls, along your roofline, and around utilities entering into your home. Caulking any spaces found around exterior windows and doors and making sure that door sweeps are installed under all exterior doors, especially on basement doors can help prevent these pests from getting inside. Since these spiders like to create their nests in wood piles, it’s important to store all firewood a distance away from the exterior of your home and to clean up fallen trees, rock piles, and other debris from your property that could attract black widow spiders. Inside your home, make sure to keep storage areas like basements, attics, and closets clutter-free. The more organized a space is, the fewer spaces that venomous black widow spiders have to hide. To prevent being bitten by a black widow spider it is a good idea to wear gloves when working in garden areas, basements, and in outbuildings. It is also important to shake out your clothing and shoes before putting them on and to pull back your bed sheets to inspect for black widows before crawling into bed for the night.

Additional Black Widow Spider Articles

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