Black Widow Spiders

(Southern Black Widow spider)

The Southern Black Widow, as its name implies, resides primarily in the southeastern United States.

The Black Widow gets its name from the misconception that the female eats the male after mating.

HOW TO IDENTIFY BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS

Spiders instill fear in many people and the Black Widow is one of the most feared. This comes from its venomous bite (females not males). All spiders are non-insect arthropods. They have 2 body parts and 8 legs. Insects have 6 legs. Spiders are hunters of insects and other arthropods that are caught in their webs or have been captured. A female black widow spider body is about 1/2 inch in length; overall about 1 1/2 inches. Color varies from glossy black to dark brown (most are black with the red hour glass on the underside). They have 2 distinctive, connected triangles that are the bright red in color and resemble an hour glass. Males are about half the size of the females. Males are a lighter color with a row of red spots with white lines radiating outward from the center. The black widow spider produces silk threads which are used for its web, egg sacs, to catch it prey, hold its prey, and or "ballooning" also known as "dynamic kiting". This silk hardens upon contact with the air.

THE BIOLOGY OF BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS

This spider spends most of its time on a web that it has built usually in a corner. It spends this time upside down waiting for its prey to be trapped in its web.

The female spider produces a sac which holds its eggs. This egg sac contains 100-900 eggs. A female can produce from 4-9 egg sacs each summer, and since she is able to live for 5 years, she can lay up to 20 - 45 sacs in her life time producing more than 40,000 total eggs.

A web can contain 2 sacs (produced in about 1-3 hours; when freshly layed, the egg sac is pure white but will change to light tan in a few hours) but usually there is only one placed in the middle of the web.

The eggs hatch in the sac. If you look closely, you can sometimes see the spiderlings on the web. Spiderlings, after the 2nd molt emerge from the sac. At each molt, they change colorations and patterns. After the 2nd molt, the spiderlings have the ability to produce silk strands that enable them to catch air currents and float with the wind to their new home.

This is known as "ballooning" or "dynamic kiting" (see E. B. White's charming tale "Charlotte's Web"). They overwinter as an immature and develop into adults in the spring.

WHERE DO YOU SEE BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS?

The Black Widow spider builds an irregular web in which she hangs upside-down.

Webs are constructed in secluded spots such as woodpiles, hollow tree stumps, rodent burrows, overgrown areas, and under stones.

The spider herself is mostly shy unless defending her eggs, generally avoids light, and many times you will not see her but recognize her only by her web.

She is much more active at night. In addition to the sites mentioned above, she seems to like man-made structures best: sheds, outdoor privies, meter boxes, drain lines, etc.

FEEDING PREFERENCES OF BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS

Black Widow spiders typically feed on other insects. When insects are captured, she swiftly moves in to wrap the prey then inject the prey with her venom.

After about 10 minutes the prey is subdued and the black widow retreats to a more protected area to feed.

Ways to reduce the conditions that harbor and attract the House Spiders:

Repair or install tight fitting screens on windows, doors, gables, foundation, and soffit vents
Install weather stripping and door sweeps
Seal gaps around doors and windows
Repair foundation cracks
Seal around HVAC systems
Install yellow or sodium lights since these attract fewer insects the spiders food source
Seal stored items in tight-fitting plastic containers in basements, garages and storage units
Seek professional assistance and a pest prevention plan

Ways to reduce spider bites:

Inspect clothing and shoes before getting dressed.
Remove all spider webs especially under beds, night stands and in clothes closets
Move beds away from walls
Use gloves when moving stored items, working in the garden, moving firewood, etc.
Store items off of the floor.
Remove or discard unwanted items
Move firewood away from home

Economy Exterminators Pest Prevention Plus program uses the 4 step approach to solve your Black Widow Spider pest problem:

Our 1^st step is the inspection of the property by a Customer Service Specialist. It is very important to know the species involved and the severity of the pest problem.
The 2^nd step would be the initial treatment by a Customer Service Specialist of all areas that the inspection revealed as critical areas. Economy Exterminators uses the newest and most effective materials to solve this pest problem fast for you. Usual critical areas would be the inside the structure, storage areas, crawlspaces, attics and garages. Our Pest Prevention Plus program treatment includes not only the treatment of these spiders but also the sweeping down and the removal of these spider webs on the inside and outside of the home. This helps to reduce the next generation since this will remove the eggs sacs as well. Your inspector and/or technician will be able to advise you on any additional treatments necessary at no additional charge. On the outside, special attention will be applied to all the windows, doors, eaves and the foundations. Special time and effort will involve locating these spiders and webs.
The 3^rd step is a 37 point inspection of your property to identify areas on your property that give easy access of the Black Widow Spiders to your property; by either direct access (cracks in the foundation) or by locating other areas where the Black Widow spider may be found.
The 4^th step would be an ongoing maintenance program for the next generation. New infestations will be moving on your property by ballooning from your trees or from the adjoining property. Our exclusive Pest Prevention Plus program is designed to help prevent the next generation.
As always our unlimited extra service is at no charge.

Choose Economy Exterminators for your comprehensive, professional and proven effective pest management program, Pest Prevention Plus.

Take the first step today and Schedule a Free Pest Inspection.


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HOW TO IDENTIFY BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS Spiders instill fear in many people and the Black Widow is one of the most feared. This comes from its venomous bite (females not males). All spiders are non-insect arthropods. They have 2 body parts and 8 legs. Insects have 6 legs. Spiders are hunters of insects and other arthropods that are caught in their webs or have been captured. A female black widow spider body is about 1/2 inch in length; overall about 1 1/2 inches. Color varies from glossy black to dark brown (most are black with the red hour glass on the underside). They have 2 distinctive, connected triangles that are the bright red in color and resemble an hour glass. Males are about half the size of the females. Males are a lighter color with a row of red spots with white lines radiating outward from the center. The black widow spider produces silk threads which are used for its web, egg sacs, to catch it prey, hold its prey, and or "ballooning" also known as "dynamic kiting". This silk hardens upon contact with the air. THE BIOLOGY OF BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS This spider spends most of its time on a web that it has built usually in a corner. It spends this time upside down waiting for its prey to be trapped in its web. The female spider produces a sac which holds its eggs. This egg sac contains 100-900 eggs. A female can produce from 4-9 egg sacs each summer, and since she is able to live for 5 years, she can lay up to 20 - 45 sacs in her life time producing more than 40,000 total eggs. A web can contain 2 sacs (produced in about 1-3 hours; when freshly layed, the egg sac is pure white but will change to light tan in a few hours) but usually there is only one placed in the middle of the web. The eggs hatch in the sac. If you look closely, you can sometimes see the spiderlings on the web. Spiderlings, after the 2nd molt emerge from the sac. At each molt, they change colorations and patterns. After the 2nd molt, the spiderlings have the ability to produce silk strands that enable them to catch air currents and float with the wind to their new home. This is known as "ballooning" or "dynamic kiting" (see E. B. White's charming tale "Charlotte's Web"). They overwinter as an immature and develop into adults in the spring. WHERE DO YOU SEE BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS? The Black Widow spider builds an irregular web in which she hangs upside-down. Webs are constructed in secluded spots such as woodpiles, hollow tree stumps, rodent burrows, overgrown areas, and under stones. The spider herself is mostly shy unless defending her eggs, generally avoids light, and many times you will not see her but recognize her only by her web. She is much more active at night. In addition to the sites mentioned above, she seems to like man-made structures best: sheds, outdoor privies, meter boxes, drain lines, etc. FEEDING PREFERENCES OF BLACK WIDOW SPIDERS Black Widow spiders typically feed on other insects. When insects are captured, she swiftly moves in to wrap the prey then inject the prey with her venom. After about 10 minutes the prey is subdued and the black widow retreats to a more protected area to feed. Ways to reduce the conditions that harbor and attract the House Spiders: Repair or install tight fitting screens on windows, doors, gables, foundation, and soffit vents Install weather stripping and door sweeps Seal gaps around doors and windows Repair foundation cracks Seal around HVAC systems Install yellow or sodium lights since these attract fewer insects the spiders food source Seal stored items in tight-fitting plastic containers in basements, garages and storage units Seek professional assistance and a pest prevention plan Ways to reduce spider bites: Inspect clothing and shoes before getting dressed. Remove all spider webs especially under beds, night stands and in clothes closets Move beds away from walls Use gloves when moving stored items, working in the garden, moving firewood, etc. Store items off of the floor. Remove or discard unwanted items Move firewood away from home Economy Exterminators Pest Prevention Plus program uses the 4 step approach to solve your Black Widow Spider pest problem: Our 1^st step is the inspection of the property by a Customer Service Specialist. It is very important to know the species involved and the severity of the pest problem. The 2^nd step would be the initial treatment by a Customer Service Specialist of all areas that the inspection revealed as critical areas. Economy Exterminators uses the newest and most effective materials to solve this pest problem fast for you. Usual critical areas would be the inside the structure, storage areas, crawlspaces, attics and garages. Our Pest Prevention Plus program treatment includes not only the treatment of these spiders but also the sweeping down and the removal of these spider webs on the inside and outside of the home. This helps to reduce the next generation since this will remove the eggs sacs as well. Your inspector and/or technician will be able to advise you on any additional treatments necessary at no additional charge. On the outside, special attention will be applied to all the windows, doors, eaves and the foundations. Special time and effort will involve locating these spiders and webs. The 3^rd step is a 37 point inspection of your property to identify areas on your property that give easy access of the Black Widow Spiders to your property; by either direct access (cracks in the foundation) or by locating other areas where the Black Widow spider may be found. The 4^th step would be an ongoing maintenance program for the next generation. New infestations will be moving on your property by ballooning from your trees or from the adjoining property. Our exclusive Pest Prevention Plus program is designed to help prevent the next generation. As always our unlimited extra service is at no charge. Choose Economy Exterminators for your comprehensive, professional and proven effective pest management program, Pest Prevention Plus. Take the first step today and Schedule a Free Pest Inspection.