How To Get Rid of Black Widows In Your House

If there is a small population of black widow spiders, you might want to use natural methods. These methods are the perfect solution for managing the population without any side effects. 

Let's get to know about the effective natural ways to get rid of black widows.

1. Tidy Up The Place 

The black widow spider, like other species, loves to grow and live in dark spaces. So, the first thing you have to do is tidy up the indoor and outdoor spaces. Look out in the dark corner of garages, basements, and cellars where things are kept in the stacks.

These can be heaven for these spiders, so rearrange these places and try to clean up this equipment. In the meantime, in the outdoors, you have to trim and prune the landscape to eliminate their potential uses. 

2. Close the Gap 

They hide in dark corners and dark spots. These dark corners are on the exterior of the house, and there are cracks and gaps in the windows, doors, and foundation. So, it is better to seal these gaps. You should look for these cracks and use sealant or barrier to fill the gaps.

For a bit larger gap, use an expanding form of sealant to give a better layer of protection. Regularly check these areas to make sure that the sealant is active, especially after seasonal changes 

3. Regularly Vaccum 

Now is the time to use the high-speed vacuum to remove spider webs and egg sacs. Spiders are found in their webs in dark corners of the house or outdoors. Make a habit of looking out for the signs of these egg sacs. 

Then, use a broom or vacuum cleaner to dispose of them. After that, empty the vacuum cleaner to prevent any spiders from coming back to your place. A routine of weekly and bi-weekly cleaning helps to maintain a healthy environment and keep the spider population less.

4. Maintain the Outdoor Space 

For the outdoor areas you start with clearing the dark and undisturbed spaces like tall grass, overgrown bushes perfect for breeding grounds. These can help to create an environment suitable for managing these population.

Trim the glass at a height less than 3 inches. Keep the woodpile and organic debris away from the home. At the same time creates a barrier between such habitats and discourages them from breeding. 

5. Use Sticky Trap 

The non-toxic sticky traps are one of the effective ways to catch black widow spiders. Apart from that, the best part about these sticky traps is they can check the presence of these spiders without the use of any harmful chemicals. 

When the spider comes in contact with the trap, it captures it. Before placing them in your house, look out for them in corners of undisturbed spaces. In the meantime, please pay attention to the instructions before setting the traps for effective use. 

6. Try To Reduce the Population of Insect

Black widows feed on small insects and pests in the garden. So, to reduce them, it is better to reduce the rate of insects. Start with an inspection of your home to look for the signs of any infestation. Look for their nests that show the presence of pests. 

After finding the problem area, you can develop a strong pest control plan. You should also remove the trash and clean the clutter. For the best result, you should use natural ingredients such as essential oil and vaseline. 

In the outdoor area, you can maintain a tidy yard and maintain cleanliness. 

7. Spray of Essential Oil 

Sometimes, just cleaning and removing the spiders can be enough to prevent them. Although, the infestation can increase even after these methods. In this case, you might want to use natural repellent. 

One of these is the solution to the essential oil. Take oil like lavender or citronella with strong perfume to repel spiders and also give a pleasant aroma to your living space. 

Create a spray with a small amount of dish soap and oil in your prayer bottle. For instance, add a teaspoon of dish soap and 10-12 drops of oil and mix it properly. 

Sometimes natural methods are effective, but in the long run, the spiders can return. This can further increase the amount of work you have to go through. This might be the time to consider using chemical methods to get rid of the black widow.

8. Pyrethrin

Before using harsh chemicals, it's better to test out natural insecticides. Pyrethrin is one such option. It comes from the plant species Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium and is known for its effectiveness against a variety of pests.

For effective use, you can spray the solution carefully in dark spaces, which can help bring spiders into close contact with the insecticide.

9. Permethrin

The next is permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide that is very effective in removing black widow spiders. It can be applied in two main forms: spray or dust.

One of its key miracles is its long-lasting residual effect, which means it continues to work for an extended period after application.

10. Bifenthrin

One of the professional pest controls is Bifenthrin. It is a synthetic pyrethroid known to kill pests by destroying their nervous systems.

While it is a reliable choice for pest infestation, you might want to reapply when cleaning and washing. Also, you have to be a bit careful as it is harmful, so follow the manufacturer's instructions.

11. Carbaryl

Carbaryl is a carbamate insecticide particularly known for its effectiveness in removing pests. It can be used in spray or dusting methods. What sets it apart is its fast knockdown effect due to its quick action on spiders.

Please follow safety methods for the effective and efficient use of this pesticide.

12. Deltamethrin

One of the highly effective synthetic pyrethroid insecticides is Deltamethrin. Its long-term effect helps prevent re-infestation. While it is generally safe for humans, the same may not be true for pets.

Therefore, it’s essential to follow proper application methods to maximize effectiveness while minimizing potential risks.

13. Indoxacarb

Indoxacarb is an oxadiazine insecticide known for its long-term effect on pests and their upcoming generations.

Its working mechanism is quite different; it works by blocking sodium channels in insects' nervous systems. It is the best solution to manage the population of black widows and reduce the need for frequent use.

14. Fipronil

Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide that is versatile for various pest control applications. One of its main advantages is its long residual effect, which lasts for an extended period after application.

It works by destroying chloride channels in the nervous systems of insects, making Fipronil a powerful option for managing black widow populations. At the same time, it reduces risks to humans and pets when used according to label instructions.

After a while, it might be time to pull out the big guns—professional help to control pests and get rid of black widows. Professionals are known for their experience and expertise in effectively eliminating these pests.

15. Conduct Regular Inspections

Schedule routine inspections of your home, paying particular attention to undisturbed areas such as basements, garages, attics, and storage spaces. During these inspections, look for irregular-shaped black widow webs. Also, check for egg sacs that may be hidden in corners or behind objects.

Meanwhile, be vigilant for any signs of spider activity, such as shed skins or the spiders themselves. Regular inspections help you identify and address potential infestations early. It allows for more effective control measures and prevents spiders from establishing a larger presence in your home.

16. Apply Residual Insecticides

Residual and chemical insecticides are the best things professionals use. To effectively manage black widow spiders, apply residual insecticides in a targeted manner. Use professional-grade insecticides known for spider control.

Besides, make sure they are applied to areas where black widows are likely to hide, such as cracks, crevices, and dark corners. These insecticides create a protective barrier that kills spiders upon contact and continues to provide extended protection even after the initial application.

Regular reapplication may be necessary to maintain this barrier and look for new spider activity. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully to ensure the insecticide's effectiveness. 

17. Implement Pesticide Dusts

Sometimes, these black widow spiders are in areas that are hard to reach. Even after effective methods, it might be hard to eradicate them. In such cases, the best solution is to implement pesticide dust. Pesticide dust can penetrate small spaces and crevices where sprays might not reach.

They remain effective for extended periods to target the spiders that hide in these concealed locations. Please follow the safety guidelines and manufacturer instructions during application to maximize effectiveness and reduce risk to humans and pets. 

18. Understand the Species 

Learning more about black widow spiders is crucial to managing and eliminating them effectively. Understanding their life cycle and habitat will provide valuable insights into how to address their presence. Educate yourself and others about black widow spiders by learning to identify them and their distinctive webs. 

This knowledge will aid in early detection and prevention of infestations. Share this information with family members to raise awareness about the risks and signs of black widow activity. Recognizing these early signs allows you to take necessary action to prevent them. 

The black widow spider can be seen in the house. They leave their distinct signs and leave behind their traces. Let's get to know some of their signs. 

Shape of the Web

When we talk about spiders, the first thing to do is look out for their webs. Every spider makes a slightly different kind of web. The black widow spider makes irregular, messy webs. 

These are often found low to the ground in dark corners, basements, garages, or cluttered areas. By paying attention to these specific web characteristics, you can better locate their habitats and take appropriate measures to find any infestations. 

Spherical Egg Sacs

Now, when you look at their webs, you might notice some small greyish and whitish dots. These are the egg sacs produced by the female black widow. Each sac can contain around 200 to 900 spherical eggs.

These eggs are an immediate sign of infestation and can help you assess the severity of the problem. In such situations, you need to take appropriate action to manage and eliminate the infestation before it becomes a more significant issue.

Adult Black Widow 

Adult black widows can sometimes be seen. Observing their physical appearance can help control the population.

Female black widows are easily recognizable due to their glossy black bodies and distinctive red hourglass markings. In contrast, males are smaller, less aggressive, and lack the distinctive markings found in females.

Shedding Skin

The classic signs of the black widow are their shedding skin. But not like a snake, they just shed some brownish and grayish material to show their presence in your area.

These shed skins are left behind in dark hiding spots, so they are a useful sign to detect their presence and assess infestation levels.

Behavior 

Since black widow spiders are found active at night, they are shy and tend to be nocturnal; in other words, they are introverted like many of us. So, if you see them hanging upside down in their webs at night, it is a clear sign of their presence.

Although locating them in the dark corners at night can be challenging, so it might not be the best sign to locate them.

Bite Signs

The black widow spider is known to be venomous, but it typically does not bite humans unless provoked. When a bite does occur, you may notice two puncture wounds at the bite site, accompanied by classic signs such as swelling, redness, and pain.

In addition to these symptoms, you might also experience muscle cramps, nausea, and sweating. If symptoms persist or worsen, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Appropriate treatment and care are essential to manage the effects of the bite and ensure your well-being.

While methods to get rid of black widow spiders are effective, preventing them from returning can be even better. Here are some ways to prevent black widow spiders from making a comeback

Maintain the Clutter 

Clutter is a perfect home for black widow spiders, but not for your home. You should remove clutter to prevent black widow spiders from taking up residence in your home. They can be found in dark areas, so you should remove all the clutter from these areas.

Organize piles of unwanted things in the garage and maintain tidiness. Also, pay special attention to piles of leaves and other debris in outdoor areas that can easily hide them.

Regular Inspection 

The lookout for the black widow spider signs can be done only by regular inspection. You should conduct routine checks, paying close attention to corner areas where spiders are more likely to hide. 

At the same time, signs of spider activity, such as webs or egg sacs, are also seen. If you find any, take prompt action. This can help you catch potential infestations early and reduce the risk of a more significant problem.

Clean on a Daily Basis

To help your regular inspection, you can also use the daily cleaning routine to prevent black widow spiders. Regular vacuuming and dusting can destroy spider webs and egg sacs.

Keeping your home clean and tidy also makes it less inviting to spiders and manages any spider activity.

Reduce the Food Resources 

Yet another way to prevent a perfect place for spiders is to limit food sources. Reduce other pest problems in your yard, such as ants and mosquitoes, as these insects are food for black widows. Keep your yard pest-free, as it makes it less attractive to spiders.

On the other hand, they are drawn to areas where their prey is abundant. Regularly treat your yard for pests and maintain a clean environment to help reduce the living area of black widows settling in your area.

Black widows are opportunity-seeking predators. They use their messy and irregular webs to catch prey. As the insect is caught in the web, the spider injects it with venom and paralyzes it.

The spider then digests the prey outside its body using enzymes and consumes the liquefied remains. Meanwhile, their diet is influenced by the availability of insects in their habitat.

• Flies: Including house flies and fruit flies, which are commonly caught in their webs.
• Mosquitoes: Attracted to the webs, they often become ensnared and serve as a food source.
• Grasshoppers and Crickets: These larger insects can also fall victim to the black widow's web.
• Beetles: Various types of beetles may be captured and consumed.
• Ants: Black widows may catch ants, especially if they wander into their webs.
• Moths and Butterflies: These larger flying insects provide substantial meals when caught.
• Caterpillars: Commonly consumed, particularly by juvenile black widow spiders.

In your garden, you might encounter several types of black widow spiders, primarily categorized into a few commonly found species:

• Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans): Identified by its shiny black body and distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of its abdomen. This species is commonly found in southern regions and prefers dark, secluded areas such as woodpiles and under stones.
• Northern Black Widow (Latrodectus variolus): Similar in appearance to the Southern Black Widow, this spider also has a glossy black body but may feature a row of red spots on the upper side of its abdomen. It is typically found in northern regions and shares similar habitats.
• Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus): This species is found primarily in the western United States and exhibits the characteristic black body and red hourglass marking. It prefers dry, sheltered areas and is often found in gardens, sheds, and garages.
• Red Widow (Latrodectus bishopi): Less common than the others, the Red Widow is characterized by its reddish color and similar markings to the black widow. It is typically found in sandy coastal areas.