How do you manage a black widow infestation on your property?

As with other pest issues, spider control has become an important element of being a home or business owner. While these arachnids do a great job at eating insects, which can be quite beneficial, having too many of them around can present a real problem.

This is especially true if your home or business experiences a black widow infestation. Due to their venomous nature, these particular spiders cause a certain amount of fear – both rational and irrational – and that fear increases as the cold weather goes away and their presence is more likely. Today, we’re going to discuss some basic information about these troublesome arachnids and then show you the best ways to avoid and/or get rid of black widows

The Telltale Signs of a Black Widow

The good news is that black widows are usually easy to identify. The female black widow spider can be as large as 13 mm in length, has a large bulbous body, skinny legs, and – most notably – a red, hourglass marking on the underside of her abdomen.

The male black widow spider, on the other hand, is only about half the size of the female, but with much longer legs that have orange and brown at the joints. Depending on the species of black widow, a male may also have red and white stripes on their abdomens.

Potential Dangers of a Black Widow Infestation

We’ve all heard stories about the dangers of black widow spider bites. In addition to an initial pain once bitten, you can sometimes be sick for weeks with aches, pains, a fever, sweating, and other such ailments. The number one reason many people are fearful of a black widow spider infestation is due to tales of a single bite of the female causing death.

Although this is certainly concerning, only small children, the elderly, and pets are typically in any danger of a single bite. Black widows are not aggressive and will only sink their fangs into someone if they feel threatened or immobilized. That being said, eliminating them is always the best solution just to be safe.

Common Areas of a Black Widow Infestation 

Even though most spiders stay outside, everyone has had their moments when they’re sitting in their home minding their own business only to be startled by a spider running up a wall or even suddenly dangling in front of their face on a web.

You might find a collection of spider webs in your bedroom, living room, or other open area in your home. You’ll probably never have this problem with black widows, however, because they almost always stick to secluded areas such as dark corners, basements, garages, and cluttered areas.

How to Protect Against Black Widow Spiders

Although black widow spiders aren’t aggressive, they can still be dangerous to children, the elderly, and pets. This means that you should avoid a black widow infestation at all costs to ensure that everyone in your home or at your place of business stays safe.

Here are a few simple ways that you can help prevent black widows:

• Seal Entryways — Like other pests, black widows often enter through cracks and gaps found around doors, windows, the property’s foundation, and other areas. Seal them with weather-stripping, spray foam, or caulk.
• Remove Moisture — Black widows are attracted to areas with a reliable source of water. The more you can keep moisture down to a minimum, the less likely that you’ll have an infestation on your hands.
• Routine Cleaning — As stated above, black widows can be found in cluttered areas. Always keep clutter to a minimum and in areas such as your garage or basement, wear gloves while straightening up.

How Professionals Get Rid of Black Widows

Whether you have anyone around who may be more susceptible to a black widow bite or not, you should definitely get rid of these spiders as soon as possible. The most efficient and effective way to accomplish this is by hiring a professional pest control company to do the job for you. Here are a few reasons why you should always get an expert to eliminate black widows:

• Experience — We’re sure that you’ve squished a spider or two in your lifetime or at least taken them outside. However, nothing beats the years of experience of a pest control professional.
• Organic Pest Control Methods— In this day and age, it’s more important than ever to avoid the use of harmful chemicals when getting rid of pests. A responsible expert will always use eco-friendly methods and solutions.
• Guarantee — You certainly don’t want black widows to come back after their removal. A professional will guarantee their work and return immediately if not all of them are eliminated.

Contact ProHealth Pest Control to Resolve a Black Widow Infestation

If you’re afraid that a black widow infestation is imminent or already occurring, ProHealth Pest Control can assist you. With our highly effective organic pest control methods, we’ll get rid of the problem without the use of harmful chemicals. If you’d like to make an appointment or have any questions, reach out by calling (727) 308-4129 today for spider control and pest control services in Clearwater!