Black widow spiders are one of the most frightening pests that a Nashville homeowner can encounter. They are one of the two most venomous spiders in the United States, the other being the brown recluse. While it’s important to be aware of the health risks caused by black widow spider bites, there are steps you can take to keep you and your family safe.
In this article, we’ll talk about all of this and more. We’ll discuss the distinctive markings that can help you identify these arachnids, as well as how to keep them out of your home. Beeline Pest Control offers the best services in the Nashville pest control industry, and we’re happy to help you with spiders or any other pest problem you might be facing.
Distinctive Markings: How To Identify A Black Widow Spider
Before we talk about how to get rid of black widow spiders, you should know what they look like and how to spot them. Fortunately, black widow spiders are among the easiest arachnids to identify due to their unique markings. Their bodies are a shiny black color, and they have two reddish triangles on the undersides of their abdomens. These triangles often join at their peaks to form an hourglass shape.
Immature black widow spiders are orange and white with the same red markings underneath. Black widow spiders have eight legs and eight eyes. Their bodies are usually between a tenth of an inch and half an inch long, with the females generally being larger than the males. The webs made by black widow spiders are often messy, irregular in shape, and located much closer to the ground when compared to those of other species. Next, let’s examine what makes the black widow one of the most potentially deadly spiders in the country.
Black Widow Spider Bites: Understanding The Potential Health Risks
Black widow spiders are known to bite when disturbed or in defense of themselves or their eggs. Females are much more likely to bite than males. Increased blood pressure, nausea, fever, sweating, and muscle cramps are all common symptoms of a black widow’s bite. The pain may last for up to three days, and the bite is usually most painful one to three hours after it occurs.
While a bite from a black widow spider can be fatal, this outcome is unlikely as long as the victim seeks out immediate medical care. Next, we’ll talk about what you can do to prevent spiders in your home.
Black Widow Spider Prevention Tips: Keeping Your Home Spider-Free
Black widow spiders are often attracted to areas that offer them lots of cool, dark hiding places and access to food sources like insects.
Here’s what you can do to keep spiders out of your Nashville home:
- Reduce clutter in garages, attics, and basements.
- Don’t walk into areas with lots of spider webs.
- Wear gloves when moving objects that have been in storage for a long time.
- Store lumber and building materials away from the home and off the ground.
These tips should help you keep your home safe. In the final section, we’ll discuss what to do if you experience a spider infestation.
Professional Black Widow Spider Elimination: Ensuring Peace Of Mind
Calling a Nashville spider control professional is the best way to get rid of spiders. Our team at Beeline Pest Control has plenty of experience with black widows, and we know exactly how to remove them without anyone getting hurt.
We’re a family-owned company that prioritizes efficient service and the needs of our customers. You can count on us for all your pest control needs. Contact Beeline Pest Control today for help with black widow spiders, and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Nashville.