Dealing with black widow spiders can be a daunting task, as they are known for their venomous bites.
Fortunately, there are effective methods for getting rid of these potentially dangerous creatures from your home and surroundings.
Before diving into the solutions, understanding black widow spiders’ behavior is crucial for successful removal.
These spiders typically prefer dark, undisturbed areas like woodpiles, cluttered basements, or crawl spaces 1.
By being aware of their preferred habitats, you can take precautionary measures to keep them at bay and ensure your safety.
In the upcoming sections, we’ll discuss several techniques, tools, and tips you can use to reclaim your space from these unwelcome guests.
Identifying Black Widow Spiders
Male Black Widow Spider
- Smaller in size
- Lighter in color (often brown)
- Less venomous
The male black widow spider is typically smaller in size compared to the female. They have a lighter color, usually brown, and are less venomous.
Female Black Widow Spider
- Shiny black body
- Red hourglass-shaped marking
- Potentially dangerous venom
The female black widow spider has a shiny black body with a striking red hourglass-shaped marking on the abdomen, making it easily identifiable1.
Females are the ones to be cautious of, as their venom can be harmful to humans.
Habitat
Black widow spiders can be found worldwide, with certain species being more common in specific places.
In the United States, they are common in eastern Washington2 and are the most widespread spider posing a potential envenomation threat in the western part of the country3.
Spider Webs
- Irregular cobwebs
- Reclusive habit
Both male and female black widow spiders create irregular cobwebs3. These spiders have a reclusive habit and prefer to stay out of sight as well.
Preventing and Eliminating Infestations
Cleaning and Decluttering
To prevent and eliminate black widow spider infestations, start by cleaning and decluttering your home. Focus on:
- Dusting and vacuuming regularly
- Removing clutter, especially in dark corners and storage areas
By maintaining a clean environment, you make it harder for spiders to establish webs and lay eggs.
Sealing Cracks and Crevices
Black widow spiders can enter your home through cracks and gaps in windows or doors. Seal these by:
- Applying caulk to small gaps
- Installing weather stripping around doors and windows
A well-sealed home keeps spiders out, reducing the risk of infestation.
Reducing Outdoor Habitats
Spiders often live in outdoor areas like woodpiles, debris, or overgrown shrubs. Limit these habitats by:
- Keeping firewood away from the house
- Regularly trimming bushes and shrubs
- Removing debris from the yard
Decreasing spider habitats near your home reduces the chances of them moving indoors.
Using Insecticides and Sticky Traps
Insecticides and sticky traps are effective methods for controlling spider infestations. Consider the following pros and cons:
Insecticides
- Pros: Fast-acting, effective against multiple pests, can be applied to specific areas
- Cons: Harmful to beneficial insects, may require multiple applications, potential health concerns
Sticky Traps
- Pros: Non-toxic, easy to use, can catch multiple spiders per trap
- Cons: May trap non-target creatures, need regular replacement, sometimes unsightly
When using either method, it’s important to place them carefully in areas where you’ve seen spider activity.
By following these steps, you can prevent and eliminate black widow spider infestations in your home and keep your environment safe and pest-free.
How to Get Rid of Black Widow Spiders: Natural Remedies
Essential Oils
- Peppermint oil: A popular choice for a natural spider repellent, it can be mixed with water and sprayed around the house.
- Pros: Environmentally friendly and a pleasant scent.
- Cons: May need frequent reapplication.
- Lemon oil: Another effective essential oil, it can be combined with water to create a repellent spray.
- Pros: Fresh citrus scent and non-toxic.
- Cons: Less effective than chemical insecticides.
| Essential Oil | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Peppermint | Environmentally friendly | May need frequent reapplication. |
| Lemon | Fresh citrus scent | Less effective than chemicals. |
Vinegar and Lemon Solutions
- Vinegar solution: Mixing equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle can help repel spiders.
- Pros: Inexpensive and non-toxic.
- Cons: Strong vinegar smell and may damage some surfaces.
- Lemon solution: Lemon peels can be steeped in boiling water, then cooled and strained to create a spray.
- Pros: Fresh scent and a multi-purpose cleaner.
- Cons: Less powerful against persistent infestations.
| Solution | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Vinegar | Inexpensive | Strong smell, may damage surfaces |
| Lemon | Fresh scent, multi-purpose | Less powerful against infestations |
The effectiveness of essential oils like peppermint and lemon as natural repellents is supported by anecdotal evidence, but scientific studies on their efficacy against spiders are limited.
Remember to always use caution and consult with professionals for severe infestations.
Medical Concerns
Black Widow Spider Bites
Black widow spiders are found in crawl spaces and are known to be dangerous. When bitten, they release a potent neurotoxin, causing harm to humans.
Symptoms of Venomous Bites
These symptoms can be seen if you are bitten by a venomous spider:
- Pain: Intense pain at the bite site
- Sweating: Local or widespread sweating
- Muscle cramps: Severe muscle cramps throughout the body
Medical Treatment and First Aid
Here are the recommended steps to take if bitten:
- Clean the bite: Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply ice: Apply a cold pack to reduce pain and swelling.
- Elevate: Keep the bitten area elevated above the level of the heart.
- Seek medical attention: Visit a healthcare professional to assess the severity of the bite and receive proper medical treatment.
Comparison to Other Venomous Spiders
Here’s a comparison table of black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders:
| Feature | Black Widow Spider | Brown Recluse Spider |
|---|---|---|
| Venom Potency | High | Moderate |
| Bite Symptoms | Pain, cramps, sweating | Pain, blister, skin damage |
| Medical Treatment | Antivenom | Wound care, possible surgery |
| Mortality Rate | Low | Rare |
While black widow bites are more painful and venomous, brown recluse bites can cause significant skin damage.
In both cases, seeking medical attention is crucial to prevent complications or death. Comparatively, black widow bites are not as dangerous as rattlesnake bites but still require timely medical care.
Keeping Your Property Safe
Gardening and Outdoor Tips
- Keep your garden tidy: Remove debris and clutter, which can serve as hiding places for black widow spiders.
- Trim plants: Maintain vegetation to avoid contact with your home’s structure, as this can provide a bridge for spiders to enter.
For example, a neat and tidy garden not only reduces hiding spots for black widows but also helps prevent other pests.
Pest Control Services
Hiring a professional pest control service is another effective method for keeping black widow spiders at bay.
Pros:
- Expertise: Exterminators are knowledgeable about spiders’ habits and effective treatments.
- Thorough treatment: They can accurately identify black widow webs, egg sacs, and hiding spots, ensuring effective elimination.
Cons:
- Cost: Ongoing pest control services can be an added expense to your budget.
Here’s a comparison of methods to reduce black widow spiders:
| Method | Effectiveness | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Gardening Tips | Moderate | Low |
| Pest Control Services | High | Moderate-High |
By incorporating these gardening tips and considering the use of pest control services, you can keep your home safe from the threat of black widow spiders and enjoy a more comfortable living environment.
Conclusion
Black widow spiders, notorious for their venomous bites, require vigilant prevention and control measures.
Understanding their behavior, habitats, and distinguishing features is essential for effective management.
While natural remedies offer eco-friendly solutions, severe infestations may necessitate professional intervention.
Immediate medical attention is crucial if bitten. By adopting preventive strategies and staying informed, one can ensure a safe and spider-free environment.
Footnotes
17 Comments. Leave new
I hope one of these articles is correct in stating that a black widow spider lives around 180 days as I have also read elsewhere that they can live up to a few years. I have seen an immature one three times inside where I live and been bitten several times so far. The first two times I was very ill. I have searched everywhere for it and constantly vacuum everywhere but every time is sleep with the lights off I am bitten again. Your info on how they live for just 180 days has given me hope that I may outlive this critter after all!
In our experience, Black Widows may live longer than a year.
I agree with bugman. I have have been stuck with what began as an immature female widow spider in my condo for around 7 months and it’s bites look like she must be quite healthy. I was so sick the first time I was bitten that I new it was not a flu and I thought my head was going to fly off. The third time and beyond have not been as bad for some reason. I have 2 pieces of furniture that I cannot move on my own and when a friend helps me move them we find nothing. My home is nearly all white and very clean and I have only seen this spider twice but the bites more often. I nearly lost both of my cats but suspected what the problem with them was and had the vet give a 10 day antibiotic shot both times which saved their lives. I will not spray as I live in a condo. I am thinking of using sprigs of Euc, mint and lemon to at least drive the spider out. I have numerous night lights and often sleep with all room lights on.
1. Immature females, spiderligs and male spiders are not dangerous. Their fangs are too short to inflict a poisonous bite. 2. They produce quite strong webs around their dwelling spots. Since you find nothing, it’s not widows 🙂
3. Widow spiders don’t go hunting by leaving their nests or attack people for no reason. If that was true, I would have been dead probably lol.
1. Immature females, spiderligs and male spiders are not dangerous. Their fangs are too short to inflict a poisonous bite. 2. They produce quite strong webs around their dwelling spots. Since you find nothing, it’s not widows 🙂
3. Widow spiders don’t go hunting by leaving their nests or attack people for no reason. If that was true, I would have been dead probably lol.
I appreciate your efforts to answer these questions! It’s good to know this spider is poisonous, and even if not likely to cause death, it does sound very, very painful if a person is bitten.
It’s interesting, as well. Thanks again.
I appreciate your efforts to answer these questions! It’s good to know this spider is poisonous, and even if not likely to cause death, it does sound very, very painful if a person is bitten.
It’s interesting, as well. Thanks again.
That is an immature female black widow. If you don’t take kindly to spiders safely get it away from your house. Or keep it as a kind of pet! I know I have had my female black widow since it was immature like the one in your case.
This spider bit my dog and my dog died I’m very sad???????????
I am so sorry about your dog. I believe myself and my dog were bitten by a northern black widow spider. May I ask your dogs symptoms? My dog is having a hard time breathing she is hot , her ears are twitching and her stomach hurts. My symptoms are profuse sweating, severe cramps under my ribs and I can barely breathe. My voice is hoarse and I can only speak soft. Ive been to the doctor but they are not taking this serious. And say there are no poisonous spiders here in northern Wisconsin. I have a bite on my arm that was excruciating pain swelled up and now just is a slight pain. A month later. And I still can hardly breathe. Any help would be appreciated!!!! Thank you!! I’m on antioniotixs and prednisone for 3 weeks now and inhalers.
I find it unseemly for a black widow to be biting at night (and unfindable otherwise) and doing so repeatedly. These spiders make a web and wait for prey to become entangled in it, or to jiggle it enough for the spider to catch the prey.
Yeah, they don’t attack people, they tend to hide and run. Widows are shy spiders. The commented Sharon Flood’s spider sound more like Brown recluse. Or maybe she’s just bitten by bed bugs lol
In my wood pile, I found several large reddish spiders. They seem to be the size of
a black widow maybe very slightly larger, have the bulbous belly, the long legs and shiny exoskeletons. They are reddish in color and move fast when disturbed. I have not found webs, but this is a box of kindling that they are living in. I thought they might be immature black widows, but they don’t have the markings of the one you show. Perhaps they haven’t had the sunlight to darken up yet, I don’t know, but I bring the wood in to burn, and I find myself hitting each piece of wood and kindling so that I don’t bring them inside. You don’t seem to advocate extermination, but I want to feel safe in my own home.
In my wood pile, I found several large reddish spiders. They seem to be the size of
a black widow maybe very slightly larger, have the bulbous belly, the long legs and shiny exoskeletons. They are reddish in color and move fast when disturbed. I have not found webs, but this is a box of kindling that they are living in. I thought they might be immature black widows, but they don’t have the markings of the one you show. Perhaps they haven’t had the sunlight to darken up yet, I don’t know, but I bring the wood in to burn, and I find myself hitting each piece of wood and kindling so that I don’t bring them inside. You don’t seem to advocate extermination, but I want to feel safe in my own home.
This is much ore likely to be a brown widow than an immature black widow. A simple google image search for them will help you make a more valid comparison to the spiders you are seeing at your home. While still quite venomous, the brown widow’s bite is considered less dangerous than a black widow, and they are much more timid and unlikely to bite humans.
Reviewing this old posting with no location listed, we believe you are correct. At the time this was posted, 2007, we were not yet aware of the introduced Brown Widow being in North America, but a month later, we posted our first Brown Widow submission from Georgia. BugGuide states: “It was introduced in Florida and has since been observed moving north through Georgia, and into South Carolina; it has also been officially recorded in California, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas,” but BugGuide does not provide a date for their arrival in North America. According to the Center for Invasive Species Research: “The brown widow spider, Latrodectus geometricus, became established in Southern California in early 2000 and has become well entrenched as part of the local spider fauna in urban Los Angeles and San Diego. The brown widow spider is continuing its expansion in Southern California and could possibly move northward into Central California.”
I found this one on my garage can today in Fresno California.