While spiders, in general, tend to have a bad reputation as far as pests are concerned, perhaps the most notorious of the bunch is the black widow. The black widow is considered one of the most dangerous spiders in the United States. As such, you need to take the necessary precautions to ensure your Modesto home is secure from these threatening pests. The health and safety of you and your family could depend on it.
Identifying Black Widow Spiders
Black widow spiders, like all spiders, have bodies consisting of two segments and eight legs. They grow to be about a quarter of an inch long and, as their name might imply, are predominantly black. One of the most distinct aspects of the black widow’s appearance is the red hourglass-like figure on the female’s abdomen. Even though only the females have the red hourglass on them, you do not need to worry about not recognizing the males because only female black widows will bite people.
Black widows prefer drier locations, that are close to the ground, to build their webs. Outside, this could be in woodpiles, beneath fallen trees and rocks, and under decks. Inside, this could be in sheds, basements, crawlspaces, and under furniture.
The Dangers Posed By Black Widows
As previously stated, the black widow is one of the most dangerous spiders in the United States. That is because it possesses a strong venom that can affect the central nervous system of those bitten that can, in some instances, result in death, although it is unlikely. In addition to being potentially fatal, bites from black widows are incredibly painful. They can result in pain and swelling, first in the area local to the bite, but it can also spread throughout the body. Additionally, bites can lead to stomach cramping and sweating. With that said, most of the symptoms of a black widow bite can be kept under control with proper medical attention. Therefore, although a severe reaction is not always likely, you should always seek the attention of a medical professional if a black widow spider bites you.
Black Widow Prevention Techniques
Given the threats posed by black widows, you should always take the proper preventative measures to keep them away. To accomplish this, you should:
- Remove all fallen trees, rocks, and other clutter from your yard.
- Keep woodpiles away from the exterior of your house.
- Keep gardens away from the exterior of your home.
- Keep all shrubs, bushes, and other plants well-trimmed.
- Keep storage areas inside your home free of debris to prevent places for black widows to hide.
- Seal all of the cracks in the foundation of your home.
- Install weatherstripping around windows and exterior doors.
- Install door sweeps under all exterior doors.
- Install screens in both windows and exterior doors.
- Install mesh covers over vents and other entry points to your home.
For More Black Widow Advice & Assistance
If you have any further questions regarding black widow prevention or are currently dealing with a black widow infestation, do not hesitate to contact the trained pest professionals here at Peace of Mind Pest Control. Our qualified pest technicians effectively eliminate any black widow infestations from your property. We will also work with you to take the proper steps to prevent future black widow infestations. Don’t let black widows threaten your peace of mind. Give us a call today.
