Black widow spiders in Sacramento are scary. Most people do not like spiders. Why? Because these pests are gross to look at, they build annoying webs in places people like to walk and are sometimes dangerous. The good news is that most species in our area are entirely harmless. One spider you should be worried about, however, is the black widow. This easily recognizable arachnid occasionally invades homes and properties here in Sacramento. Here are some things to consider to help you safely deal with these pests around your living areas.

Identifying Black Widows

Of all the dangerous spiders that live worldwide, we would argue that black widows are the easiest to identify. Not only are these arachnids giant, but they also have one easily identifiable feature. Along with being jet black and bulbous abdomen, this hairless pest has a red hourglass mark on its underside. Beyond this, you can identify a black widow by its low-hanging, messy web.

Another way to identify black widows is by their egg sacks. These pests usually place these woven balls along the edges of the window and door frames and dark crevices in and around homes.

The Threat Of Black Widows

A black widow’s bite is not only excruciating, but the venom from this pest is potent enough to cause symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, swelling, burning, difficulty breathing, sweating, abdominal pain or cramping, and, in many cases, severe neurological trouble. If you suspect a black widow has bitten you, seek medical attention immediately to reduce your pain and chances of long-lasting symptoms.

One question people regularly ask is, “Do black widows kill humans?” The answer to this is, yes, black widows have caused human fatalities. That said, only four to eight people die in the United States as a result of their venom each year. Most of these fatalities are due to an individual having pre-existing medical conditions, being too young or old, or refusing medical aid.

How Black Widows Get Into Homes

Black widow spiders get into homes in several different ways. They often crawl inside through foundational cracks, loose-fitting doors, windows, or damaged screening. These pests invade area homes to either hunt for prey (insects, arthropods, and other arachnids) or seek shelter from inclement weather conditions such as storms.

Is There A Safe Way To Handle A Black Widow?

You are more likely to get bitten by a black widow you overlook than you see. By nature, these pests are not aggressive and will not go out of their way to attack humans. With this in mind, we still do not recommend dealing with these pests alone. One wrong move and these pests will fight back, and when they do, this doesn’t just mean pain for you but also pricey medical bills for an emergency room visit. For this reason, we recommend that you trust an expert to control your home’s spiders.

The Safe Approach To Handling Black Widows

At Local Pest Solutions, we do not take spider infestations lightly. We always assume that dangerous arachnids could be around and a threat to the health of those nearby. We will bring with us not only safety equipment but also a vast knowledge of area pests and how to effectively identify, eliminate, and control them.

Our All About Pests Blog is an online resource where you can find helpful info about pests. Get the best spider prevention tips in our post, Goodbye Spiders: Essential Sacramento Spider Prevention Tips. Learn more about preventing spiders with the tips in our spider prevention guide.

Call 209-309-7378 to reach out to our team today. Get your home the pest protection it needs to stay spider-free year-round. Local Pest Solutions will remove a black widow from your living area.

Contact us to schedule your free inspection for black widow spiders in Sacramento!