Black widow spiders are some of the most intimidating pests you can encounter. They are active for a large portion of the year in San Diego, as they tend to prefer temperatures of 70 degrees and above. Despite the widespread fear and paranoia surrounding this particular pest, black widows aren’t something you have to be scared of if you know some important information and exercise caution around them.
Pest control in San Diego can be daunting, but with the assistance of Green Flash Pest Control, you’ll have everything you need to handle black widows in your home. First, we’ll talk about the general characteristics of the black widow spider, as well as some helpful information. Then, we’ll look at how a bite from a black widow might affect a person. Next, we’ll discuss what you can do if there’s a black widow in your home. Finally, we’ll go over your best option for getting rid of these spiders permanently.
Interesting Facts About The Black Widow Spider
The black widow spider got their name from the belief that females eat the males after mating. While this has happened, it is a fairly rare occurrence in the natural world. There are five recognized species of black widows in the United States. Black widow spiders are highly venomous; in fact, their venom is about 15 times as strong as that of a rattlesnake. They are the most venomous North American spider. They aren’t the most deadly spiders in the world, however.
You can easily identify black widows by the red hourglass-shaped mark on their abdomens. Their bodies are usually completely black except for this mark. Black widows are arachnids, so they have eight legs and no antennae. They average around one and a half inches long, and their bodies are typically round with prominent abdomens.
Females tend to be larger than males. Immature black widow spiders are usually an orange-and-white color that turns black as they grow older. The webs that black widow spiders build are usually messy and irregular, and they aren’t often that far off the ground. Finding these webs can be a sign that you might have a spider infestation. Next, let’s look at the dangers of being bitten by a black widow.
The Dangers Of A Black Widow’s Bite
As mentioned above, black widow spiders are highly venomous creatures. Their bites can cause immense pain, as their venom contains a chemical that overwhelms nerve cells. The effects of the bite usually grow worse after it happens for about three hours when it becomes most painful. The symptoms of the bite can include fever, high blood pressure, nausea, muscle aches, and even trouble breathing. The pain from a black widow bite can last for up to three days.
Fortunately, black widows are very small, so they aren’t able to release a lot of venom at once. They may be some of the worst spiders you can encounter, but their bites are actually rarely fatal. Young children and the elderly are the people who are most at risk. There are readily available black widow antivenoms, so the best thing to do if you are bitten by a black widow is to go to the emergency room right away. Now we’ll discuss what you can do to keep black widows out, as well as what to do if you find one in your house.
What To Do If You Find A Black Widow Spider In Your House
The best way to deal with black widows is to prevent them from getting inside in the first place, but this isn’t always possible. Here are a few things that you can do that should help you keep spiders out of your house:
- Don’t let your garage or basement get cluttered, as black widows prefer dark spaces where they can hide.
- Be cautious around spider webs, especially if you can’t see the spider.
- Use gloves when moving objects that you haven’t touched in a while.
- Shake out your shoes before you put them on.
- Seal any gaps or openings in the exterior of your home.
These tips should make it harder for black widows to get into your house. If you do find yourself dealing with these pests, however, you should call a local home pest control company like Green Flash Pest Control.
Tips To Prevent Future Spider Problems
The black widow is the most dangerous spider in California, so it’s often best that you leave the removal of this pest to the professionals. Green Flash Pest Control is more than happy to help homeowners like you with all their black widow problems.
We pride ourselves on the outstanding customer care provided by our highly trained technicians. Contact Green Flash Pest Control today!