7 Tips for Handling a Black Widow Spider Infestation

Are you noticing an unusual number of spiders in and around your home, some with a distinctive red hourglass on their abdomen? You may be dealing with a black widow spider infestation – one that demands caution and immediate action.

Black widow spiders, known for their potent venom, can be a major danger to your household. Before panic sets in, it’s essential to arm yourself with the right knowledge and tools to handle the situation effectively and safely.

Let’s go through how to handle a black widow spider infestation.

1. Identify Your Spiders

When you’re trying to get through a black widow spider infestation, correctly identifying the spiders is crucial before taking any action.

Look for the most characteristic mark, the red or orange hourglass shape on the bottom part of the predominantly shiny black abdomen. Not all black widows will have a perfect hourglass mark; some may have separate red spots or no markings at all.

Adult female black widows are about 1.5 inches wide, including their leg span, with a spherical abdomen. Males are significantly smaller and less venomous, and often have more varied markings.

Black widows are typically nocturnal and solitary. They are not aggressive and bite only in self-defense, like when they feel they might be in danger or are accidentally pressed against human skin.

2. Protect Yourself

Before handling areas where black widow spiders might be present, dress in long-sleeve shirts, long pants, gloves, and boots. Tuck your pants into your longest socks and your fitted shirt into your pants to prevent spiders from crawling inside your clothing.

Instead of using your hands to move items in infested areas, use tools like long sticks, brooms, or grabbers. This keeps a safe distance between you and the spiders.

Use a headlamp or carry a flashlight during inspections or cleanups in dark areas such as basements, attics, or garages, ensuring you can see clearly to avoid unexpected encounters.

Never pick up a black widow spider or attempt to clear webs with your bare hands. Always use gloves and other tools designed for handling pests.

If you choose to capture and release a spider, use a clear jar and a piece of stiff paper or cardboard. Carefully coax the spider onto the paper, then slide the jar over the spider. Secure the lid and release the spider far away from residential areas.

3. Cut Out Clutter

Cutting out clutter is a vital step in handling a black widow spider infestation, as these spiders often hide in undisturbed, cluttered areas.

Start by removing old boxes, unused items, and general clutter from areas like basements, attics, and garages. Black widow spiders seek quiet, undisturbed spaces, so keeping these areas clean can discourage them from settling.

Use sealed plastic bins for storage instead of cardboard boxes, which can attract spiders. Ensure all containers are tightly closed to prevent spiders from entering.

Keep garden tools, sports equipment, and outdoor furniture clean and neatly stored. Hang tools on racks and store items off the ground to limit hiding places.

Adjust outdoor lighting to reduce insect activity, which can attract spiders. Use yellow sodium vapor lights, which are less attractive to insects.

4. Try Sticky Traps

Using sticky traps is an effective and non-toxic method to help manage a black widow spider infestation.

Choose sticky traps designed specifically for catching spiders. These traps are usually larger and have a stronger adhesive than those designed for insects like flies.

Black widow spiders tend to travel along edges, such as where a wall meets the floor. Placing traps along these lines can increase the chances of capturing them.

Place the traps in areas where spider activity is known or suspected. This includes dark, quiet areas such as corners, behind furniture, in closets, under appliances, in basements, and in garages.

5. Seal Entry Points

When you’re trying to get rid of poisonous spiders, carefully inspect the exterior of your home for any cracks, holes, or gaps. Pay special attention to areas where utility pipes and wires enter the house, as these can be common entry points for spiders.

Ensure your windows and doors close tightly. Look for gaps between the door frame and the floor, or the window frame and the sill.

Look for cracks in the foundation, loose siding, gaps around window frames, and spaces under doors.

Use a good quality silicone caulk to seal any cracks and gaps in walls, around windows, and door frames. Silicone caulk is durable, flexible, and weather-resistant, making it ideal for both interior and exterior use.

6. Do Maintenance

Basements, attics, and garages are common hiding spots for black widow spiders. Periodic cleaning and inspection of these areas can disrupt the spiders’ environment and reduce their numbers.

Use dehumidifiers in damp areas of your home, like basements and crawl spaces, as spiders are attracted to moisture. Keeping these areas dry makes them less hospitable to spiders.

Regularly clean up leaves, wood piles, and any other debris around your property. Such materials can provide ideal shelter for spiders. Keeping the yard tidy reduces these hiding spots.

Keep bushes, shrubs, and tree branches trimmed back from your house. This prevents black widows from using these plants as bridges to enter your home.

Sheds, garages, and other outdoor buildings should be regularly inspected and maintained. Seal any cracks or gaps and keep these structures as tidy as possible.

If you’re struggling, hire pest control services ASAP.

7. Hire Professional Help

When dealing with a black widow spider infestation, sometimes the best course of action is to hire professional pest control services. 

Look for pest control companies with good reputations and reviews. Check if they specialize in spider infestation or specifically in dealing with black widows.

Custom pest solutions can help you get all the black widow spiders off your property.

Take Care of Your Black Widow Spider Infestation Today

Managing a black widow spider infestation can be tricky. Hopefully, you can use this guide to protect yourself, your family, and your property.

Do you need help getting rid of spiders? Fast Action Pest Control is here for you. 

Call us up for a free inspection today.