Part of the reason black widow spiders are so well-known is that they are easy to identify and highly dangerous. Black widow spiders are a jet-black color and have bright red hourglass-shaped markings on their underbellies. They have rather bulbous bodies and skinny legs.
And, while most spider species in Oklahoma City are harmless, the black widow spider is not. They have potent enough venom to harm both people and pets.
In order to protect yourself from the dangers of black widows, you can follow this guide on how to prevent them.
How Dangerous Are Black Widow Spider Bites?
For the most part, it’s rare to be bitten by a black widow spider. They prefer to stay away from people, and they aren’t aggressive. So, they will only bite if they feel threatened, and you can try to avoid the places where they tend to hang out.
Black widow spiders prefer cluttered, dark places to hide, such as in woodpiles or under stones. When they come inside, they gravitate towards closets or cluttered, dark areas like basements and crawl spaces.
However, if bitten, it’s vital to seek medical attention right away as side effects include tremors, headaches, nausea, and trouble breathing. In rare cases, a black widow bite can be fatal.
While bites can look different from person to person, there are often two visible fang marks at the site. Pain, swelling, and redness might start to develop around the bite, too.
Five Black Widow Prevention Tips
Spiders, including the black widow, usually come around in search of their prey. So, one of the main reasons you’ll see black widow spiders is because you have underlying pest problems. To prevent these spiders, you should focus on addressing these foundational issues by following these steps:
- Make sure that kitchens are kept clean of drink spills and food crumbs that can attract insects. Also, regularly do dirty dishes and wipe out pantries and appliances.
- To make it harder for spiders and other pests to get inside, replace or repair broken screens and install door sweeps and weather stripping. Fill up any cracks in the walls and foundation with foam and caulk.
- Cover any trash cans with secure lids and clean up any garbage from around the yard.
- Store firewood in a dry area at least 30 feet away from your home, as black widow spiders often live in woodpiles.
- Address moisture issues by fixing any leaky pipes of faucets and use dehumidifiers if necessary.
These tips can help minimize the risk of black widow spiders moving onto your property, but they may not be enough to eliminate an existing population.
The Safe And Easy Way To Remove Black Widow Spiders
If you’re seeing black widow spiders around your home, the simplest way to eradicate them is with assistance from Guaranteed Pest Service of Oklahoma. Our technicians can remove these dangerous pests in no time, and you won’t have to worry about putting yourself at risk of being bitten.
We even make it simple to get started by offering free estimates. Give us a call today to learn about our spider control plans.
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