What Do Black Widow Spiders Look Like?
Female black widow spiders have two blood-red triangles or hourglass shapes on their belly while the male has a pattern on the upper side of the abdomen that consists of white or yellow lines and a row of red dots. The spiders are a shiny black color or may be lighter shades of brown or even gray. Males are usually lighter in color than the females. Black widow spiders have very round, plump abdomens that are directly attached to the thorax. Female black widow spiders are about 1.5 inches long, including the legs, while males are about 1/3 of an inch long.
Where Do Black Widow Spiders Hide?
Black widow spiders are mostly active at night. They can be found hiding in undisturbed corners of buildings, and other dark cracks and crevices. Outdoors, they often take shelter in garages, sheds, and under porches or decks.
What Do Black Widow Spiders Eat?
These spiders are known for eating small insects including mosquitoes, beetles, and grasshoppers. However, (and this is the stuff nightmares are made of!) black widow spiders can also eat mice, snakes, and lizards that they capture in their spider webs, kill with the venom in their bite, and then devour.
What Does a Black Widow Spider Bite Look Like ?
You do not want to get bit by a black widow spider. Their bite is painful. They have two fangs, so if you suspect you have been bitten by a black widow spider, check out the site of the bite to see if there are two small puncture wounds where the fangs would have gone into the skin, and the area around it will likely become red and swollen.
Why Are Black Widow Spiders Dangerous?
The venom in a black widow spider’s bite can affect the nervous system. Within twenty minutes of being bit, people can experience muscle cramps, weakness, stomach pain, and tremors. In some cases, elevated heart rate and blood pressure results, which can lead to more serious complications. If you are bitten, wash the area with soap and water, apply an ice pack and antibiotic cream, and seek medical attention right away for any severe symptoms.
Does Innovative Pest Control Offer Black Widow Spider Control?
Innovative Pest Control helps you eliminate black widow spiders and other dangerous spiders in your home. Because they consume other insects, we will focus on eliminating insects in and around your home to eliminate their food sources. We also provide exclusion services to seal openings in your home to prevent spiders from getting in, and take steps to capture and eliminate any existing infestations of spiders. If you are having trouble with black widow spiders on your property, call the trusted Tyler and East Texas exterminators at Innovative Pest Control to get your residential pest protection plan in place!
How to Prevent Black Widow Spiders
Spiders are among the most feared pests. To help prevent them from getting into your home, consider the following tips:
- Eliminate as much clutter and debris in your storage areas as possible to give these spiders fewer places to hide.
- Make sure all of your windows, doors, and your foundation are carefully sealed to keep them from finding a way into your home.
- Vacuum your home regularly to remove spider webs, spider eggs, and any spiders that have gotten into your home.
