My husband used to have a pair of mud boots, clear to his knees, which he used to take the dogs outside in our previous home, before there was grass or a fence (it was a new construction home). One afternoon, my husband came rushing into the house from working in the yard, frantically asking for bug spray, Lysol or anything of the sort. When I asked what the panic was about, he announced that there was a spider in his boot.
Generally, my husband isn’t afraid of spiders, so this had me intrigued. I followed him out the door and while he proceeded to spray into the boot like a mad man, I asked what happened. Apparently, he went to put the boot on, which goes to his knees, and felt a spider web inside. He quickly retracted his boot, only to see a black widow begin to crawl to the top of the boot! He had nearly been bit!
Female Black Widow
That wasn’t the last we saw of the black widows during the nearly five years we lived in that house. The hung out under the back porch steps, but their favorite place to make camp was in the corners of the garage, just next to the little hole at the base of the door that gave them access outside and night and dark shelter during the day. As many readers know from my brown recluse post, I hate spiders. My husband and I killed countless numbers of them, and torched who knows how many egg sacks to prevent new minions.
While brown recluses are now our roommates, I’m still constantly on the lookout for black widows. Much like the brown recluse, a black widows venom is full of poison, though there is some debate over which spiders venom is worse. Regardless, it’s important to know what to look for, what you’re dealing with, and how to get rid of black widows spiders.
What the Black Widow Looks Like
Male Black Widow - brown
The female black widow, which is also the most dangerous, is black (or dark gray) in color, with a glossy sheen. The most defining characteristic is, of course, the red (or orange) hourglass shaped marking on the bottom of her abdomen. Female can grow up to 1.5 inches in length and have very large abdomens in relation to the rest of their body.
Male black widow spiders are generally about half the size of a female. They are usually black, but have also been seen in many different shades, including brown. There are markings on their abdomen as well, usually in a symmetrical pattern, often in white (though sometimes red or orange).
Where the Black Widow Lives
Black widows are nocturnal (like most spiders) and like to be in dark, warm locations, often in prime locations for prey to stumble upon their web. This most commonly translates to garages, outdoor sheds, basements and areas in homes where bugs frequent.
Black Widow's Web
The black widow’s web does not have an intricate pattern like some other spiders. It is usually very randomly created, but offers a clear access point from the spiders resting place to where prey get trapped. Their webs are also very strong.
Black Widow Spider Bite
The venom the female black widow excretes (yes, males bite, but their venom isn’t usually dangerous to humans) is neurotoxic, affecting the nervous system. An individual’s reaction to this venom can vary depending on the individual’s physical condition, but in most cases, it is quite dangerous. Children and elderly are the most susceptible to adverse reactions. Symptoms of a black widow bite, which start occurring within 20 to 60 minutes, include (usually occurring in this order):
- Pain at the site of the bite
- Muscle cramps and severe pain
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness and tremors
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness and fainting
- Chest pains and trouble breathing
- Elevation of blood pressure (the most severe complication)
Male Black Widow - black
The abdominal pain can often be mistaken for gallbladder problems or appendicitis and the chest pains often feel similar to a heart attack. Again, the black widows bite is usually only life threatening in children and the elderly. In most cases, hospitalization is necessary, but a full recovery is quite likely. More information on when to see a doctor and treatment options is available on the eMedicineHealth website.
Getting Rid of Black Widows
Direct contact with an insecticide will kill them, but spraying the area they are located won’t – they will simply detect the poison and move on to a new location in the home. The best way to get rid of them is to kill those you find, destroy egg sacks (removing them from the home and burning them is the most effective), and preventing future access to your home.
Make sure that all access points are sealed, so spiders don’t have a way in. This is where insecticides are useful because detecting them will keep black widows from entering through that location. So, if you can’t fully seal something off, such as an outdoor shed, then spray away at the perimeter, windows, doors and other crevices. Additionally, work to get rid of the insects in your home, and the spiders will have to move on because there will be no food supply.
And always check your shoes before you put them on.
Debi Redricks
Michelle L. Cramer
