If you believe the myths, black widow spiders are one of the scariest pests you will ever face. According to popular culture, female black widows kill and eat males after mating, and a bite from one of these spiders is instantly deadly to humans. While there are some elements of truth to these myths, black widows are a misunderstood pest.
They may not be the terror that Halloween movies lead you to believe, but black widows are dangerous to you and your family. Fortunately, the Sacramento pest control professionals at EcoTech Pest Management are here to answer some common questions about black widows and keep you protected from these creepy and potentially dangerous pests.
What Does A Black Widow Spider Look Like?
Black widow spiders are one of the few dangerous spiders in Sacramento. While they can be hard to spot because they hide in the dark corners of your home, their distinct markings make them easily identifiable if you get a look at them.
As their name suggests, black widow spiders are primarily jet black, although some females may be brownish-black. They are around 1 ½” in size with eight legs. Their most distinguishing feature is the red, hourglassed shape marking on the underside of their abdomen.
If you are dealing with a spider problem in your home and are unsure about the spider species you are facing, contact us today and let one of our trained pest control experts help.
Are Black Widow Spiders Dangerous?
Spiders get a bad reputation for being terrifying pests, even though most species aren’t dangerous. Unfortunately, the black widow isn’t one of those species. A black widow bite is a medical emergency.
If a black widow bites you, you will feel pain immediately, which will continue to increase over the next three hours. Other symptoms of a black widow bite include:
- Fever
- Increased blood pressure
- Sweating
- Nausea
While black widow bites are rarely fatal, you should seek medical attention immediately if a black widow bites you. Doctors can treat and manage the symptoms, preventing a bite from becoming a major emergency. If possible, bring the dead spider with you to the hospital to help the medical staff with species identification and proper treatment.
Can Black Widow Spiders Jump?
The short answer is no. Black widow spiders don’t jump. Instead, they climb high up and use their webs to float down to areas where they make their nests. The jumping spider is a species of spider that does have the ability to jump. It is often mistaken for a black widow because of its similar black color, body structure, and size.
How Can I Get Rid Of Black Widow Spiders Lurking In My Home?
Black widows are creepy and dangerous, and you don’t want them around your home. Here are some steps to avoid black widows and keep them out of your home:
- Eliminate areas of clutter in your home where black widows can hide
- Seal cracks, crevices, and holes in your arm that they could use as entry points
- Use screens and weather stripping to keep black widows out
If you are cleaning cluttered areas of your home, like your garage or attic, you should wear long sleeves and gloves.
Call us today if you are dealing with an active spider infestation or want to make sure you are doing everything possible to keep your home free of black widows. The best way to prevent these potentially dangerous pests is to partner with us at EcoTech Pest Management for professional spider control.
We can quickly eliminate any spiders in your home, and our home pest control plans will keep them from returning. Then you can enjoy your home without worrying about a potentially dangerous spider bite.
