Black widow spiders have earned themselves quite the reputation, but are they really as dangerous as everyone makes them out to be? Considering their frightening appearance and potentially fatal bites that typically end in a hospital visit, we would say that this reputation is well-earned. In fact, the CDC considers the black widow spider the most venomous spider in North America. These venomous spiders can be very dangerous, and only trained professionals should handle them. For complete pest control in The Bay Area contact The Bay Area pest control experts.
Today, we are going to cover all the reasons why black widows are dangerous and the best way to get rid of these venomous spiders.
Where Do Black Widow Spiders Live?
Black widow webs are irregular in shape and can measure up to a foot in diameter. They make their webs both indoors and outdoors.
Some of the places around your home or garage where black widow spiders will create webs include shrubs or other foliage, under stones, in woodpiles, around decks, and near porch lights.
Inside, you may find these spiders in cluttered areas that are quiet and secluded, such as garages, sheds, closets, basements, and crawl spaces.
How Common Are Black Widow Spiders In The Bay Area
Black widows are one of the most common spiders in North America, but only one widow spider is found in California: the western black widow. These spiders are quite common around Bay Area homes and other buildings, but they prefer to stay hidden and not interact with humans, so you may not see them very often. Even so, it's still important to know how to identify them so you know to stay away when you see one.
Here are a few features that you can use to tell black widows apart from other spiders found in The Bay Area:
- Female black widow spiders are 1 1/2 to 1 3/8 inches long, while the males are usually about half that size.
- Adult female black widow spiders are a shiny jet black color with large, rounded abdomens, while the males are more of a dull brown color with smaller abdomens.
- The most recognizable feature of the female black widow spider is the red hourglass-shaped marking on the underside of its abdomen.
Symptoms Of A Black Widow Spider Bite
Black widows tend to be quite reclusive and are not very aggressive, but these spiders will bite if they feel trapped or threatened.
Black widow spider bites usually feel like a pinprick or may not be felt at all and then quickly escalate into a more painful sensation. The bite will look quite swollen with two tiny fang marks. These bites can have serious side effects, including a fever, sweating, nausea, raised blood pressure, and muscle cramping. While most black widow bites are luckily not fatal, small children and the elderly may be at a higher risk of complications.
To help you avoid a black widow bite, here are a few of our best tips:
- Repair or replace old, worn window and door screens and install weather stripping.
- Clear cluttered areas of your home to reduce hiding spots for these spiders; be sure to wear gloves while doing so to avoid being bitten.
- Be careful when taking items out of storage, and shake out clothing and shoes that have been in storage before wearing them.
Black widows are the most notorious spiders in the United States for a good reason. The risks associated with these spiders are why we always recommend calling in an exterminator to remove them rather than doing it yourself. Dealing with these spiders on your own is far too dangerous to be worth the risk.
Spider Control For Bay Area Properties
Now that you know a little more about them, you can probably see what we mean when we say it's always better to be safe than sorry when dealing with black widows. Luckily, we can take care of those spiders for you! At Bay Pest, we offer spider inspections, de-webbing services, and spider control solutions for The Bay Area to meet all your spider removal needs.
Avoid any unfortunate encounters with black widow spiders by calling Bay Pest! To get started, contact Bay Pest and request a free estimate, or you can request a free inspection by completing the online form. Don't let black widow spiders or any other spiders take over your home. Bay Pest Solutions is here to protect you and your family and to keep your home spider-free.