close
Home Improvement

How to Get Rid of Black Widow Spiders

The black widow spider is roughly the same size as a paper clip but is much feared throughout the United States and globally. This is chiefly because its venom is about 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake’s. While most people who are bitten by black widow spiders do not experience serious illness, bites can result in nausea, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing.

Fear of spiders is one of the most common phobias in the US. It is estimated that around 100 million Americans suffer from arachnophobia. In this spider removal guide, we will share practical advice on how to get rid of black widow spiders on your property.

Identifying a Black Widow Spider

The first step to getting rid of black widow spiders is to recognize them and learn their habits. The female black widow is the most dangerous and also the easier to spot. This is because of its red hourglass-shaped mark on the belly and its spherical abdomen.

As noted, black widow spiders are small—females are approximately 1.5 inches with legs extended. The male spider is usually grey or brown in color and roughly half the size of the female.

When hunting black widows, located as many webs as you can during the daytime, when they are inactive. When darkness falls, you will know where to return to in order to kill the spiders. Black widows tend to set up their webs in dark, sheltered areas which are not usually disturbed.

Getting Rid of Black Widow Spiders

The best and most effective way to get rid of black widow spiders is to hire a professional pest control service. This is especially true when dealing with large infestations on your property. We recommend Holmes Lawn & Pest in the Salt Lake Valley area of Utah.

When you have identified the location of the spiders, you can choose to kill them using insecticide. You can also vacuum the spiders or, for a more hands-on method, simply squash them.

It will also be necessary to eliminate the egg sacs. These small, cylindrical sacs contain dozens or even hundreds of baby spiders and will be attached to the web itself. Spray these sacs with a liberal amount of insecticide.

One way to prevent black widow spiders on your property is to regularly and thoroughly clean your house. You can also reduce clutter, both indoors and outdoors, and make sure that both your windows and doors are well-sealed.

A natural spider deterrent is the wren, which are predators of spiders and other bugs. By installing nest boxes and filling them with food, you can effectively hire some wrens to keep your external area free of black widows.

How to Get Rid of Black Widow Spiders

The above information will help you to get rid of black widow spiders on your property. For effective spider removal, contact an experienced local pest control service.

Like this blog post on how to get rid of black widow spiders? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.