When it comes to well-known venomous spiders, black widow spiders are the most famous. They have a venomous bite that can harm humans, so they don’t make great roommates. There are several ways to kill black widows, and today we will show you how.
In this article, you will learn how to kill black widows.
How to Kill Black Widows and Keep Your Family Safe
If you’ve identified a black widow, you will want it gone. If you can safely do so, you could consider killing it. Here are the safest ways to kill or remove a black widow spider.
Here’s how to kill black widows once and for all.
Strong Smells
If you make your home non-spider friendly, you are less likely to encounter a black widow spider in the first place.
Spiders hate strong scents. Spiders actually ‘taste’ using their feet. So, things like eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, menthol, and strong citrus-based smells tend to make them pack their backs and move.
Apply these to any areas likely to house spiders. It also makes your home smell pretty good too!
Mild Acids
You probably have a great spider-killing serum in your pantry or store cupboard already.
We are talking about something like vinegar.
To use it, mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and douse the spider liberally. The acid kills the spider. It also works on egg sacs.
It is important to note that even though the spider appears to be dead, you still shouldn’t handle it with your bare hands. Wear thick rubber gloves and dispose of them in an area where they can’t be touched.
Remove Webs and the Spider
By destroying the spider’s web, you remove two things that cause a spider to take up residence. Food and shelter. The most effective way to do this is to use the nozzle with a vacuum cleaner. This way, you can keep your hands clear of the spider.
Remove any webs using the vacuum cleaner and also suck the spider up if you get the chance. Once you have vacuumed the spider away, be sure to empty the canister or back in a safe location (and not into your kitchen trashcan).
This method isn’t for the faint-hearted. Remember how we said black widows tend to bite out of fear? Intruding into their webspace is sure to get them on edge.
Use Insecticide
Advanced chemical warfare is always an option when killing black widow spiders.
You can find spider poisons in both powdered and liquid forms. The powder is designed to be left in place to kill and further discourage other spiders. Liquid forms of insecticide, such as pyrethrin, can be sprayed directly onto both spiders and egg sacs.
Spider Traps
There are a few options when it comes to spider traps.
You can buy sticky traps and mount them on flat surfaces. The spider’s legs stick to the surface of the paper, and they can’t escape. However, removing them means putting your hand close to a spider, and they look unsightly.
You can also get pole-mounted, humane spider traps. These grab or enclose the spider, and then you can release it into the wild. If you utilize this kind of trap, be sure to release the spider a good distance away from where you live.
Encourage Birds
If you have problems with black widows outside of your home, this natural solution can work really well.
Birds love eating spiders. If you can encourage them into your garden using nest boxes and feeding tables, you will see a reduction in the number of spiders. This solution is by no means immediate.
Seek Help from a Professional Pest Control Service
If the idea of going anywhere near a spider, whether a black widow or otherwise, fills you with anxiety and dread, perhaps your best port of call is a professional pest control service?
They will be experienced in dealing with spiders and other creepy crawlies. They will have the most effective techniques to deal with them quickly and safely.
Pest control services don’t only remove and kill the spider. They can also offer expert guidance on keeping black widow spiders away for good.
What are Black Widows, and What do They Look Like?
The good news is that black widow spiders are very easy to identify. They form part of the Latrodectus family. While there are 32 species within this group, the black widow stands out.
Black widows have a bulbous rear section called an abdomen. This large black section normally features an orange or red shape that looks very similar to an hourglass. They are known as ‘widows’ because their usual behavior is to kill and eat the male of the species after mating!
The good news is that black widow spiders tend to shy away from human contact. Normally a bite comes as a defensive response. Despite being notorious, their bite, while very painful, isn’t normally fatal.
Still, it pays not to take the chance.
Black widows tend to make their irregular webs in corners or any area with an enclosed opening. This does include areas of the garden, attic spaces, garages, and sheds.
It is worth noting that a similar spider called a ‘false widow’ is very similar in appearance. Our advice is to assume it is a ‘genuine widow’ and treat the problem accordingly if in doubt.
Conclusion
Black widows tend to steer clear of humans, so if you regularly spot one, there is a good chance that you might have an infestation. In this case, killing individual spiders isn’t the best solution, and a pest control expert is your best bet.
Facility Pest Control is a family-run pest control business serving the California area. We are able to provide free quotes and have a wealth of experience in dealing with black widow spiders. Our solutions include green and environmentally friendly pest control techniques. When it comes to spiders, we know how to kill black widows and keep your family safe. Why not contact us today and we’ll offer some expert advice.
