The most dangerous spider in Sacramento, CA, and the one that we get the most calls about is the infamous Black Widow spider. This dreaded creature needs no introduction but is they misunderstood? Are they really the stuff of nightmares that we perceive them to be? Here is a guide to Black Widow Spiders.
The Black Widow Spider
The Black Widow spider is one of the largest arachnids found in Sacramento, and while the black widow’s size does add to the fear factor of these devilish beasts, it is more their gruesome mating rituals and venomous bite that sends chills down the spine. Known to be the most venomous spider in North America, the western Black Widow (Lactrodectus Hesperus) is not a household pest to take lightly.
The Black Widow Spider Appearance
There is a big difference between the appearance of the female and male black widow spider. The female is twice the size, approximately 1.5 inches in length with a jet-black body and a red hourglass design on the underside of her abdomen. The male, although half the size of the female, also is lighter in color and has red or pink spots on its abdomen.
Black Widow Spider’s Behavior
The black widow spider is a solitary creature all year round except during mating season. They prefer secluded dark areas in your home and rarely go looking for trouble, although curious children and pets can provoke them into attacking. It is during this mating season that the Black Widow gets its name. The female, upon consummation of the violent mating ritual, can quickly turn on her male counterpart and eat him. This gruesome act is just one of the elements that makes this creature truly the embodiment of terror.
The Horrible Truth About Baby Black Widows
We have already stated that the Black Widow has cannibalism traits. But this isn’t something that is learned by growing up in a harsh environment. Baby Black Widow spiders also show this trait. In fact, it is shown in studies conducted by researchers at UC Santa Barbara that the mother precisely produces hatchlings of the same size to prevent a bigger sibling from taking advantage of its weaker peers. If this has failed the mother will take matters into her own hands and kill the bigger culprit, protecting the rest of the family. In the research, they had two groups of black widows that they raised under different temperatures in order to accelerate growth (the warmer it is the faster they grow). When introducing the two groups it became apparent that the bigger ones quickly picked off the smaller baby black widows. It’s a cruel world we live in.
Black Widow Spider Bite
It wouldn’t seem right to have such a monstrosity without having the bite to go with the bark. Unfortunately for us, the Black Widow spider does have a highly venomous bite that is thought to be 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake’s. It can be fatal to young children, the elderly, or the sick so if you are living with such people we would highly recommend getting an experienced pest control technician in to rid Black Widows from your home.
Black Widow Spider Bite Symptoms
A Black Widow spider bite can produce a variety of symptoms and affects people differently. The common symptoms are as follows:
- Sharp pain and inflammation around the bitten area
- Muscle cramps that can become severe for up to 12 hours
- Chills, fever, nausea, or vomiting
- Profuse sweating
- Severe stomach, back, and chest pains
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
A Black Widow spider bite is serious, but they do not attack unless provoked. They are not an aggressive creature.
What do Black Widow Spiders Eat?
We have gone into detail about the cannibalistic traits a Black Widow spider possesses. But eating their own isn’t the only thing on the menu. Black Widow spiders are carnivores and will eat any poor insect that gets in their way. Common victims include ants, termites, mosquitos, flies, grasshoppers, beetles, and other spiders. They have also been known to attack mice, snakes, scorpions, and birds in other arid climates.
Black Widow Spider Web
The Black Widow spider’s web is the strongest of all spider’s webs. Its tensile strength is comparable to that of steel wire relative to size. The female Black Widow will usually create her tangled web low to the ground in burrows or holes that have been evacuated by animals. It is used to attract and trap prey and to hold up as a defense against unwanted predators.
How Does a Black Widow Get in My House?
Black Widow spiders love dark, quiet, and secluded places to nest with an ample supply of food. Your basement and attic are perfect spots to find a suitable home. They can make their way into your home via the firewood, through open doors, or through cracks in the windows.
Signs of a Black Widow Infestation
The signs of a Black Widow infestation are the webs that you will find in secluded spots. This can include under beds, bookcases, storage boxes, inside shoes (ouch), cabinets, under furniture – wherever it’s dark, quiet and secluded.
Black Widow Spider Pest Control
Treating your home for Black Widow spiders is no easy task. It would seem the obvious solution would be to stop them entirely from getting into your home by treating the perimeter with a controlled substance, but this simply does not work for two reasons. The first is that Black Widows use a method called “ballooning” in order to evade a controlled perimeter. This method involves getting to a high point in a nearby tree or pole and spraying web silk until it gets caught in the wind, allowing it to float down and bypass the controlled area. The second and probably more important factor is that a Black Widow has to be sprayed with pesticides directly in order to kill it. Spiders have little hooks on the end of their legs which they walk/crawl around on. This does not allow them to absorb enough pesticide to kill them. Their body does not come in contact with the treated surfaces. After that, it is all about cutting off the food source that they require to survive. Black Widow treatments involve regular pest control services in order to truly rid your home of them.
Black Widow Exterminator
If you have noticed any signs that a Black Widow is present in your home you should call an experienced pest control exterminator immediately, especially if there are young children or elderly people living with you. While Black Widows will not openly seek confrontation, they can easily be provoked, and it can result in a nasty spider bite. Official Pest Prevention is one of the few pest control companies in Elk Grove, Sacramento, and Roseville to offer a spider guarantee that we will completely eradicate your home from any arachnids that are present. Call us today at (877) 711 2847. You can also submit our online contact form. Don’t hesitate, Black Widow spiders are not to be trifled with, call now!
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