Black Widow Spiders Are A Problem For Arkansas Homeowners
Erica L Goodrich
September 16, 2011
Most spiders commonly found in Benton, Little Rock and throughout Arkansas, do not have mouth parts that are strong enough to pierce human skin, there is however, one notable exception to this, the black widow spider. This species of spider is one of the most feared when found in homes across Arkansas and although she is relatively non-aggressive and she doesn´t bite often, when she does, her bite has the potential to be dangerous as she is equipped with neurotoxic venom, which is particularly dangerous for children and the elderly. So how do you know if it is a black widow spider spinning a web in your home and how do you stop these spiders from making your home theirs? Please read on.
The black widow spider can be one of the most easily recognizable, if you can find her. These spiders prefer to spin their webs in dark, secluded places, usually near the ground. They would much rather be outdoors, but can also be found inside our homes in the dark corners of garages, sheds, basements and crawl spaces; where ever there is an ample amount of wandering insects for them to feast on. The female is shiny black and can be as large as 1 ˝ inches long, including her legs. She has a plump, spherical abdomen, which may have several red spots. The most notorious spot appears on the underside of her belly and it is typically an hour-glass shape. Male black widow spiders are much smaller and much narrower than the female spiders and along with the red markings, they have white lines on their abdomen as well. Female black widows have been known to bite when they are provoked, males however do not bite.
The best thing for any Arkansas homeowner to do if a black widow spider has spun a web in your home is to knock down the web and squish the spider. You can also vacuum them up, which resolves the problem temporarily, but in order to keep black widow spiders out of your home to begin with, there are a few things homeowners can do across Arkansas, that will help spider proof their home.
If all of your best attempts to get rid of black widow spiders have failed, it is time to call in help! Professional pest control companies have extensive knowledge regarding Arkansas spiders, including the black widow as well as the proper equipment and materials to effectively get rid of these terrifying arachnids.
If you live in Benton, Hot Springs, Little Rock or elsewhere throughout Arkansas and are concerned about a black widow spider problem, McCauley Services, a longtime Arkansas pest control company is ready to help. McCauley Services offers effective home pest control that will help you get rid of black widow spiders and many other insects, rodent and wildlife. For more information on black widow spiders and other Arkansas spiders, please visit www.callmccauley.com.
The black widow spider can be one of the most easily recognizable, if you can find her. These spiders prefer to spin their webs in dark, secluded places, usually near the ground. They would much rather be outdoors, but can also be found inside our homes in the dark corners of garages, sheds, basements and crawl spaces; where ever there is an ample amount of wandering insects for them to feast on. The female is shiny black and can be as large as 1 ˝ inches long, including her legs. She has a plump, spherical abdomen, which may have several red spots. The most notorious spot appears on the underside of her belly and it is typically an hour-glass shape. Male black widow spiders are much smaller and much narrower than the female spiders and along with the red markings, they have white lines on their abdomen as well. Female black widows have been known to bite when they are provoked, males however do not bite.
The best thing for any Arkansas homeowner to do if a black widow spider has spun a web in your home is to knock down the web and squish the spider. You can also vacuum them up, which resolves the problem temporarily, but in order to keep black widow spiders out of your home to begin with, there are a few things homeowners can do across Arkansas, that will help spider proof their home.
- Conduct an inspection all around your home- Be on the lookout for small holes or cracks around any wires, cables, outdoor faucets, electrical outlets or vents; fill in any holes with caulking
- Seal any cracks in your foundation
- Replace or repair any torn or damaged screens in windows and doors
- Apply weather stripping around your windows and doors
- Install door sweeps
- Trim back any trees and shrubs, paying close attention to ivy
- Get rid of any rock piles or yard debris in your yard, which provides black widow spiders the perfect hiding places
- Do not store fire wood near your home and remember to wear gloves when picking up pieces of wood
- Use a yellow light bulb for your outdoor lighting; insects, otherwise known as spider food are attracted to white light, brush down any webs on outdoor lighting frequently
- Do not store items loosely, keep unused blankets, old clothing and other items in plastic containers with tight-fitting lids; throw away any cardboard, which is fairly easy to get into for black widow spiders
If all of your best attempts to get rid of black widow spiders have failed, it is time to call in help! Professional pest control companies have extensive knowledge regarding Arkansas spiders, including the black widow as well as the proper equipment and materials to effectively get rid of these terrifying arachnids.
If you live in Benton, Hot Springs, Little Rock or elsewhere throughout Arkansas and are concerned about a black widow spider problem, McCauley Services, a longtime Arkansas pest control company is ready to help. McCauley Services offers effective home pest control that will help you get rid of black widow spiders and many other insects, rodent and wildlife. For more information on black widow spiders and other Arkansas spiders, please visit www.callmccauley.com.
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