Black Widow Pest Control & Exterminators
Black widow spiders are known for their shiny black bodies that are marked with a bright red hourglass marking. They are among the most venomous arachnids in North America with venom so powerful that it surpasses rattlesnake venom potency. These spiders are found all over the United States, especially in the warmer southern regions like Austin, Texas. Black widows typically only bite if they are disturbed or threatened. Their bites are venomous and can cause immense pain in addition to other serious complications. While black widow venom is extremely potent, their bites usually aren’t deadly. Serious complications can arise which may require medical attention. If you’re dealing with black widows, the team at Absolute Pest Management can provide a customized black widow extermination plan. Our licensed professionals use an integrated pest management approach to identify and treat any problematic areas. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Schedule Black Widow Inspection
Black Widow Treatment Options
An integrated pest management approach is recommended for treating for black widows:
- Inspection: Our services start with an inspection. This helps identify problematic areas where black widows might hide. If signs of black widow activity are found, the area is treated.Â
- Liquid Pesticide Treatment: Upon finding black widow nests, we spray pesticides designed to target black widows. We also apply a perimeter application around the foundation and at access points like doors and windows. This spray has a residual effect that lasts up to 3 months.Â
- Dusting and Void Treatment: Severe infestations may result in black widows hiding in hard-to-reach areas. Insecticide dusts can be blown inside wall voids and electrical outlets to reach these difficult spaces.Â
- Trapping: Sticky traps can be used to monitor the success of the other treatment options. As black widows come out of hiding to escape pesticides, they may come into contact with glue boards that are placed in areas that have previously shown black widow activity.Â
What Do Black Widows Look Like?
Black widow appearance varies wildly depending on the sex. Female black widows are the ones with the famous large, shiny, black body that is marked with a bright red hourglass figure. Males, on the other hand, have much smaller bodies and are brown. They are commonly found in irregular webbing that is much more durable than the delicate patterned webbing of most other spiders.
Signs of a Black Widow Infestation
Multiple black widows nesting near each other
Strong, irregular webs with no pattern
Webbing in Dark Undisturbed Corners
Webbing in Dark Undisturbed Corners
Absolute’s Pest Free Process
Pest Inspection
Our process begins with a thorough inspection of your property. Our experienced technicians identify the types of pests present, their breeding grounds, and potential entry points, allowing us to understand the extent of the infestation.
Pest Treatment
Based on the inspection findings, we develop a customized treatment plan. This could involve the use of environmentally friendly pesticides, traps, or other methods, all designed to effectively eliminate the pests from your property.
Pest Prevention
After the treatment, we focus on pest prevention, which involves educating clients on how to minimize future pest problems and making your property less attractive to pests. This step is crucial in preventing future infestations.
Follow Up
We stand by our service guarantee and follow up on our treatments to ensure the effectiveness of our work. This allows us to make any necessary adjustments and verify that your rat problem has been thoroughly resolved.
Pest Maintenance
The final step is regular maintenance. We provide ongoing services to ensure that your property remains pest-free. This includes periodic inspections and treatments as necessary, giving you peace of mind knowing that your home is protected from pests.
Black Widow Spider Bites
Black widow bites can vary in their initial impact. While some bites are felt immediately, others might go unnoticed, with symptoms gradually worsening due to the venom’s delayed effect on the nervous system. The pain can intensify within 2-3 hours post-bite, depending on the amount of venom injected.
Note: In rare instances, complications can arise that require medical attention.
Common Symptoms:
Body aches
Fluctuating salivation
Diaphragm paralysis
Profuse sweating
Headaches
Elevated blood pressure
Nausea
Muscle pain
What To Do If Bitten:
Clean the bite with soap and water.
Apply a cool compress to the affected area.
Elevate the bitten area to reduce swelling.
Use over-the-counter pain relievers for relief.
Seek medical attention for severe cases or if young children are affected.
Important: Symptoms generally subside after 2-3 days, but if they persist or worsen, always consult with a healthcare professional.
Inside
Black widows are most commonly found in garages, basements, attics, closets, storage, crawl spaces, and sometimes beneath furniture
Outdoors
Outdoors: Black widows can be found in woodpiles, rotting tree stumps, decks, patios, barns, outhouses, and other undisturbed areas where they can build nests.
How to Get Rid of Black Widows Outside Your Home
To get rid of black widows outside your home, you need to eliminate all of the elements that attract them. This means eliminating means of shelter, food, and water. Get rid of firewood piles, trim tall grass, and keep compost heaps and trash bags secure to prevent other pest infestations. By doing so, homeowners remove potential nesting places and food availability. Be mindful of outdoor lighting because lights can attract moths and flies which are food for black widows. After eliminating the things that attract black widows, it is time for offensive strategies designed to kill any black widows that might attempt to move onto your property. Apply a residual pesticide application around the perimeter of your home and around your foundation. These applications will act as a barrier to stop black widows in their tracks.Â
How to Get Rid of Black Widows in Your Home
An integrated pest management approach is needed to effectively get rid of black widows inside your home. This requires a combination of treatment and prevention strategies. Start by organizing storage spaces to eliminate areas that might house black widows. Use tightly sealed containers for storage to reduce the areas they can build nests and hide. Preventing other insects that they feed on is another big element to controlling any predatory spider populations. To eliminate black widows and the insects they eat, use a targeted residual chemical insecticide. This can be sprayed in areas where black widows have been seen. Follow that up by removing webs while being careful not to handle black widows directly.Â
How to Prevent Black Widows
To prevent black widow spiders, be sure to consider the following:
Keep your yard and home free of clutterÂ
Cut the food supply by effectively managing other pest populations
Habitat modification through removing wood piles, brush, and leaf litterÂ
Maintain gutters
Don’t overwater plants
Remove unnecessary foliage
Turn off lights at night or switch to yellow bulbs to prevent flying insects at night
Seal any entry points to your home including damaged door sweeps, weatherstripping, screens, and windowpanes
Enlist the help of professionals for quarterly preventative treatment
Seek professional black widow exterminators to help to avoid potential hazards when dealing with harsh chemical treatments as well as dangerous black widows.Â
Absolute Pest Management Guarantee
Effective bee treatment designed to last
Guaranteed to remove bees in and around your home
Prompt service that will return if treatments are not 100% effective
We just moved into a newly built home, and there were ants, roaches, and spiders everywhere! We gave Absolute a call and they were out within a few days of setting up service, and had the best value (I called and got quotes from three other local providers).
Our technician, Kenny, came out and was absolutely amazing
From day one we have been very happy with the detailed inspections of our home and landscape. Josh, our current technician is a great customer service representative. Easy communication and thorough. We appreciate the detailed summary of service and list of applied products provided after each visit. No pest control issues!
Very Effective!
They’ve been coming by for almost a year with easy-to-book quarterly appointments. At the beginning, since I had just moved in to a new house, it required a few reservice appointments. They quickly added me to the schedule and didn’t give me any hassle about coming back. Everyone has been friendly!
Convenient Locations Near You
Buda, TX
Austin, TX
What is the best pest control for black widows?
Effective black widow control requires an integrated pest management approach. This combines effective treatment with prevention to stop black widows and prevent them from coming back. Treatment starts with habitat modification followed by targeted insecticide applications. Preventative measures like sealing entry points are implemented after treatment to deter future spiders from settling.Â
How do I get rid of black widows permanently?
Permanently eradicating black widows requires a multi-pronged approach: declutter and maintain your property to eliminate their preferred habitats, address moisture issues that attract their prey, and regularly inspect and seal potential entry points in your home. Seeking professional pest control services like those offered by Absolute Pest Management for targeted treatments can significantly reduce their presence and deter future infestations.
Does spraying for black widows work?
Spraying for black widows can be effective when using the appropriate insecticides. However, for lasting results, spraying should be combined with preventive measures like habitat modification and sealing entry points. Consulting with pest control professionals to ensure safe and effective application is recommended.
Should you call pest control for black widows?
If you notice multiple black widows or signs of an infestation, call Absolute Pest Management because we have the expertise and resources to safely and effectively address black widow infestations. We can also provide guidance on preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of future infestations.