Alert! Cooler weather is around the corner – So, how do you protect your home from black widow spiders?

Statistics show that arachnophobia is rated the second greatest fear in the United States. And, for good reason! It goes without saying, the black widow spider is the most feared, and dangerous, of all insects in Utah. When humans are bitten by a black widow spider, medical attention is required, as symptoms include severe pain, swelling, and even possible death if left untreated. And, unfortunately, black widow spiders can become unwanted guests in Utah homes during the fall and winter months, in an attempt to escape the cold.

However, areas suffering from a spider infestation poses serious risks to your property, crawl spaces, items in storage, and most importantly – your family. In this article, we will discuss the ways you can prevent black widow infestations this cold season.

 

What does a Black Widow look like?

Female black widow spiders are easy to spot, thanks to their red hourglass shaped marking – located on the underside of their belly. Females are about 1.5 inches in length, and black to dark brown in color. Male black widows, on the other hand, are lighter in color and smaller in size (about half of what a female widow would be). 

what black widow spiders look like

 

Where are Black Widow Spiders commonly found?

According to Ryan Davis, an arthropod diagnostician with the Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab, said that black widows prefer to stay stationary. 

“They like to live in their webs, you won’t often find them walking around,” he said.

So, where do black widow spiders make their webs? 

prevent spider infestation

Generally speaking, the black widow prefers to make a web in the cracks and crevices near the ground, in wood piles, abandoned rodent holes or in pipes. Basically, anywhere that’s relatively undisturbed, which makes it a good hiding spot. 

When it comes to black widows nesting in or around a home, you’re likely to find them in areas of high vegetation next to a property, in between the walls of a structure, and covered lightbulbs. They also make nests near the window seals, the ones that aren’t used very often.

Another point to consider, is the fact that black widow spiders are nocturnal. So, the best time to inspect the parameter of your home in search of them, would be at night with a flashlight.  

Expert Tip: In order to help ward off unwanted pests, such as black widows, many homeowners will switch out their exterior house lights with yellow bulbs vs. white, which attract less insects.

 

Why are Black Widows Dangerous?

Black Widow’s Bite –

According to the National Geographic, black widows are considered to be the most venomous spider in North America. In fact, their venom is reported to be 15 times more potent than that from a rattlesnake. 

I think we can all conclude, black widow spiders are highly poisonous. Fortunately, they only bite humans when they feel threatened, otherwise, they will leave us humans alone. 

Another interesting fact – only bites from a female black widow spider are considered to be dangerous to human health. 

Some symptoms of a black widow spider bite include the following:

  • Nausea
  • Profuse sweating
  • Severe pain in abdomen and back areas
  • Muscle aches
  • Hypertension and paralysis of the diaphragm
  • Difficulty breathing

 

How to Prevent Black Widow Spider Infestations

The best, and most inexpensive way to avoid spider infestations in Utah, is to prevent the problem before it occurs. 

Fall and winter months in the state of Utah tend to result in a surge in black widow sightings. That is due to the colder temperatures, these eight-legged creatures want to find somewhere warm to hibernate. However, having these types of poisonous spiders inside your home is a danger to you and your family.

Make yourself aware of what types of habitats black widow spiders favor, and take the necessary steps to make your home less favorable to spiders. Keep in mind, spiders prefer quiet, undisturbed areas such as garages, attics, basements and crawl spaces. 

So, hire a reliable and effective pest control company to spray those areas that are especially at-risk. Often, the black widow spider will make a web within corners of your home, along the underside of shelves or outdoor wood piles and rock clusters. Make sure to move any firewood piles and rock/stone piles away from your house, as far as possible, before the fall and winter seasons begin. It is best to avoid the possibility of a black widow infestation by performing all preventative measures. 

Expert Tip: By having a pest control company spray your home regularly, you’ll be warding off other insects that black widows feast on. Therefore, you won’t have as many black widow spiders, because there won’t be anymore food for them to eat inside your home.