If a line up of nine spiders were put in front of you, would you be able to tell the one dangerous spider apart from the harmless ones? Most people would not. If you don’t know much about black widow spiders, or how to identify them around your home in Vernal, today is your day to learn. Here is our complete guide to identifying and excluding black widow spiders.
What Are Black Widow Spiders?
There are thousands of species of spiders around the world, 35,000 to be exact. Thankfully, only two species of spiders here in the United States are dangerous, the brown recluse, and the black widow. Although not common house pests, black widow spiders have been known to get inside from time to time to either hunt or to escape inclement weather. When indoors, black widows will build irregularly spun webs near the floor. These webs are designed to catch other insects.
Black widow spiders can be identified by their black bodies and the red hourglass figure on the bottom of their abdomen. Judging by their name, you might assume that black widows eat their mates. The truth is, this rarely happens. Most of the time, male widow spiders will live on the web with their female partner for months without being injured or eaten. Black widow spiderlings on the other hand often fall victim to cannibalism, to the point where only one out of every twelve survives.
During the summer months, black widows will mate and lay sacs of eggs within cracks and crevices throughout homes. These sacs can contain upwards of 900 individual eggs, and typically hatch 14 to 30 days after being laid.
How Dangerous Are Black Widow Spiders?
Black widows have one of the most painful bites out of any spider in the world. Some of the most common symptoms of a black widow spider bite include nausea, sweating, chills, pain and aching around the area of the bite, and stomach cramps that are sometimes mistaken for the rupturing of the appendix. Trust us when we say, none of these things are pleasant in the slightest.
Although it is rare, a bite from one of these spiders occasionally leads to fatality. If you believe you have been bitten by a black widow, seek medical attention immediately. This will help reduce your symptoms and decrease your chances of any further medical complications.
How To Prevent Black Widows
Almost all spiders invade homes to hunt for other insects. To effectively keep black widows out of your home, here a few general pest-prevention tips for you to use.
Keep your landscaping well maintained and regularly remove clutter and organic debris from your yard.
Use a caulking gun to seal gaps, cracks, and openings in your home’s exterior, specifically in its foundation and around window and door frames.
Make sure all of your exterior doors are equipped with door sweeps.
Repair or replace broken windows and door screens around your home.
Inspect and fix any weather stripping that has been damaged around your home.
Turn off exterior lights at night or invest in insect-resistant bulbs for outdoor lighting fixtures.
Clean indoors regularly, remove webs, and store leftover foods inside airtight containers after every meal.
Eliminate moisture problems around your home.
For a better way to eliminate and prevent spiders, turn to the professionals at J&M Pest Control. We make keeping pests out of homes easy. With our help, we will make sure your Vernal home stays black widow-free, year-round.
Contact our team today to find out more about our comprehensive pest control plans and to find a solution that best works for you.