Many different types of spiders call Salt Lake City, UT, home. They also tend to have a habit of invading your own home, setting up shop in your basement or garage on the lookout for shelter, food, and water. Unfortunately for Salt Lake City residents, the black widow spider is included in this group of spiders found in Utah. Read on to learn more about how to identify a black widow spider, and how Pest Pro Pest Control can help you with a black widow infestation.
What Do Black Widow Spiders Look Like?
If you’ve seen one spider, you’ve seen them all — except in the case of black widows. It is important to know what these insects look like in order to safely identify them. Here are some distinctive features of the black widow:
Red hourglass symbol: Perhaps the most infamous symbol of the black widow is the red hourglass-shaped symbol on the underside of their bodies.
Black body: The body of a black widow is a sleek black, and its body is bulbous and round.
Legs: The black widow spider has eight jointed legs.
Eyes: Black widow spiders also have eight eyes.
How Dangerous Are Black Widow Spiders?
Black widow spiders are extremely dangerous. Their bites are venomous and powerful, capable of compromising the nervous system of an adult human. Symptoms of a black widow spider bite are vomiting, difficulty breathing, chills, and stomach cramps. Victims will also experience severe muscle pains and cramping as well. Though rare, black widow spider bites can be fatal. If you were bitten by a black widow spider, seek medical attention immediately.
Why Are Black Widow Spiders In My Home?
The first step to keeping black widow spiders out of your Salt Lake City home is to understand why they are in your home in the first place. Below are some of the reasons black widow spiders are trying to get into your home:
Shelter: Like any pest, black widow spiders are looking for a safe place to spin their webs and lay their eggs. Your attics, garages, and crawl spaces offer the perfect place for them to set up shop.
Food: If there are black widow spiders in your home, then there was probably already another kind of insect infestation before the spiders arrived. Since they feed on other insects, black widow spiders might invade your home because there are plentiful amounts of food available.
Ease of reproducing: Because the clutter in your storage spaces offers such convenient shelter and cover, black widow spiders will be able to lay their eggs and let them hatch in safety, making your cluttered spaces very appealing to them.
Should I Remove Black Widow Spiders On My Own?
While it may be tempting to try one of the many DIY methods listed online, it is not recommended that you try to remove a black widow spider on your own. The black widow spider is not normally an aggressive spider; however, if they feel threatened, they will bite. That’s why it’s best to let the experts at Pest Pro Pest Control handle a black widow spider infestation. Here, we have a decade of experience safely and effectively removing black widow spiders from Salt Lake City homes, minimizing the risk of harmful, venomous bites. Not only will our technicians ensure that your entire black widow infestation is exterminated, but they will also work with you to implement prevention strategies to ensure they do not return. Your home is your castle — don’t let black widow spiders take away your feeling of comfort. Call us today!