There's nothing scarier than being face to face with a black widow spider. And while black widow bites aren't common in Cedar Hill, you probably don't want to rush into an encounter with this arachnid. With these tips, you can get rid of black widows and make your home a safer place.
What Are Black Widows?
Black widows are well-known spiders, and their claim to fame is an ability to deliver a painful, potentially life-threatening bite. While the male black widows are relatively harmless, the females should have you worried because they defend their eggs and deliver a neurotoxin through your bloodstream.
Female black widows are larger than the males and have a red hourglass shape on their underside. However, the males are black or brown and have no apparent markings. Whether you have males or females on your property, you shouldn't expect to run into them in the busiest areas of your home. They prefer secluded spaces and often hide out in sheds, garages, and other similar places.
Should You Really Be Concerned?
Before you learn how to get rid of black widows, you might wonder whether or not these Cedar Hill spiders actually pose a threat. If you're bitten by a female black widow, you could face serious health issues. A bite demands immediate medical attention. With that said, black widow bites are rare. These arachnids only bite when threatened, and they don't like to be near human activity. You don't need to lose sleep over black widows.
Despite that fact, you probably don't want black widows in your home. And this means taking measures to keep black widows and their prey far away from your property. If you want to protect your home from black widows, you need to be proactive.
Keys To Black Widow Spider Prevention
Keeping black widows out usually means keeping out their prey. Because black widows eat insects, one of the best ways to deter them is to keep insects out of your home. You can accomplish this by doing all of the following:
- Clean Frequently: After you eat, clean up your crumbs from the floors and counters. Make sure to get under your oven and behind your refrigerator as well.
- Fix Screens: If you have holes in your screens, bugs can get indoors without any effort. Fix your screens as soon as you notice rips or holes.
- Address Moisture Issues: Although not all insects seek out moist spaces, many pests in Cedar Hill are attracted to high humidity. You can keep these creatures out by using a dehumidifier, installing vents, or fixing leaks.
Other Tips
You also make your property less appealing to black widows by making it harder for the arachnids to get inside. Install door sweeps and caulk around your windows. Since black widows are particularly attracted to sheds and garages, take extra measures to seal up those structures. Black widows like hanging out in piles of firewood. When you keep your firewood near your structures or home, you increase the chance of a nasty encounter. To avoid this, store all of your firewood far from your buildings.
How To Deal With An Infestation
If you already have black widows in your home, there's only one thing you can do. The safest and most effective way to deal with an infestation is to work with a professional. Here at Proactive Pest Services, we're ready to help. Our team has years of experience dealing with spiders. We know what it takes to prevent and eliminate black widow spiders. When you call us, you can count on having a safer home. Contact us today at Proactive Pest Services to learn more about pest control in Cedar Hill.
