How to Repel Black Widow Spiders
The female black widow spider is identifiable by the presence of a red hourglass pattern on the underside of its abdomen. It is renowned for its tendency to kill and eat its mate after mating. Both the male and female black widow spiders are dangerous to humans, as they can bite if provoked. The bite of the black widow spider is venomous and can cause fever, muscle cramping, nausea and excessive sweating. Therefore it is important to consider preventive measures that will repel black widow spiders and prevent them from entering your home.
Read a book on black widow spiders or search the Internet for information on this spider species, in order to identify and avoid them.
Inspect your house and the surrounding area for black widow spiders. Wear gloves while searching for black widow spiders and handling them.
- The female black widow spider is identifiable by the presence of a red hourglass pattern on the underside of its abdomen.
- Read a book on black widow spiders or search the Internet for information on this spider species, in order to identify and avoid them.
Keep your home clutter-free to prevent spiders from hiding there. Eliminate unnecessary clutter such as old boxes, papers and clothing.
Remove lumber piles, landscape timber, stones, firewood and other debris accumulated in your garden. Mow your lawn grass to three inches or less, and trim back any vegetation that comes in contact with the structure of your house. This will discourage spiders from living in your garden or entering the house.
Seal small cracks, openings and crevasses inside your house and around it using a caulking gun and some caulk. Since spiders like to hide in dark, secluded places, make sure that you seal cracks around the foundation of the house and openings near television cables, electric cabling, gas and water piping.
- Keep your home clutter-free to prevent spiders from hiding there.
- Seal small cracks, openings and crevasses inside your house and around it using a caulking gun and some caulk.
Screen all windows, vents and doors to prevent spiders from entering the house.
Use a vacuum cleaner to vacuum and destroy black widow spiders, cobwebs and egg sacs, when you find them. Seal the vacuum bag and dispose of it in an external garbage bin immediately.
Apply pesticides available as pastes, microencapsulated or lacquer-based, to the exterior foundation of your house and on windows located at the lower level, to prevent spiders from migrating into your house.
Tip
Inspect your home for black widow spiders at night, as these insects are nocturnal.
Warning
Carefully follow the pesticide application and usage instructions before using it, as pesticides are relatively toxic to humans.
