Do spiders in Yakima County give you the creeps? If so, you should know that you're not alone. Many people fear spiders, although there's not always a good reason to fear these pests. Only a couple of the local invaders pose a threat to residents, and one such home invader is the black widow.
Why Are Black Widows A Threat?
If you took a close look at all of the venomous spiders in North America, black widows would be the worst. These arachnids have a neurotoxin that causes extreme side effects. All spiders have venom, but few of them have an impact, like the black widow. Even the notorious brown recluse isn't much when you look at the black widow.
You can identify the female black widow by its red hourglass figure and black color. The males are black and plain but don't pose much of a threat. However, the females are protective and have a bite that's likely to send you to the hospital. The females are best known for their red hourglass markings.
If a female black widow bites you, the risk is significant. You could experience nausea, vomiting, and muscle spasms. It often takes minutes and even hours for the effects to set in. While the bite is rarely fatal, it does require immediate medical attention.
Where Black Widows Live
Like most pests in Yakima, black widows are content outside. However, they can encroach on human territory. They like secluded areas but sometimes end up in sheds, garages, and piles of firewood. If you have a pest problem inside your home, you could have black widows hiding out.
Don't expect black widows to be in your high-traffic areas. These spiders don't like people; they prefer to live in solitude. You're more likely to find them in your basement or an unused room of your house. For this reason, black widow bites aren't common.
Under most circumstances, black widows bite because they perceive a threat. You might inadvertently bump into a web or pick up a piece of wood with a spider on it. Despite their reputation, black widows won't go out of their way to harm you.
How To Keep Black Widows Away
Even though black widows aren't as bad as they seem, you don't want them hanging around your home. There are a few simple things you can do to decrease the likelihood of a chance encounter:
- Keep Firewood Away From Your House: For starters, keep piles of wood far from your home. Otherwise, black widows could decide to nest in the wood. You should also check your piles of wood before you bring them inside your home.
- Keep Other Pests Away: One of the most effective ways of keeping spiders out of your home is to keep other pests away. If there's no food for black widows, they won't come indoors. One of the ways in which you can keep black widow prey away is to store food in sealed containers. You can also store your trash correctly and seal up all potential pest entrances.
- Clean Regularly: With regular cleaning, you may also be able to keep black widows away. After meals, clean your plates and surfaces. Every so often, do a deep clean of your property.
What You Should Do About Black Widows
No one wants black widows to threaten them or their families. If you find these spiders in your home, call us a Prosite. We have the home pest control experience and knowledge needed to deal with these arachnids. You can count on us to safely get rid of black widows. Call us now and find out more about how we can help.