We killed a baby black widow in my house. I say there must be more yet my husband says it was more then likely a stray. Does anyone have any experience with this? If so what can I do to safely (children in house) exterminate them?
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Stormy...
ANSWERS: 8
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Black widows are very solitary spiders. So your husband is probably right about it being the only one. However, if you are concerned, you want to check dark, confined spaces, as that is what they like. Their bites can be fatal to a small child, but have little effect on a healthy adult. However; they are not interested in your children, so unless your children are habitually crawling in to dark, confined spaces, you are probably okay. Hope that helps.
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aww, i love spiders
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Yes, it can be bad, depending on the bite and the adult human. The venom is a neurotoxin, plus full of bacteria, and if the spider gets a lot of venom inside you, you're in for a world of hurt, and if you are especially sensitive or have a weak liver... you could die. Also, unless the baby blew in while ballooning, there could be more around. My garage was infested and I found nest after nest in there. The nest was marked by a little pile of bug parts on the floor of the garage, and thick wispy spider silk arranged in a chaotic design, not the typical orb shape, so I knew a nest was somewhere above that, such as in the hollow area above the legs of our freezer. I've also recently found two or 3 males in my house, so I'm in for a spring and summer of constant cleaning and exterminating. Check out the book "The Red Hourglass: Lives of the Predators" by Gordon Grice. There are also many spider sites with good info on black widows. I have Western Widows in my house.
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KwaHamot Black Widows are all Females so you couldn't have found twp or 3 males
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Reply to "Anonymous:" "KwaHamot Black Widows are all Females so you couldn't have found twp or 3 males" What do you mean by 'Black Widows are all Females?' Without male black widows, they couldn't procreate! Read more here and see the pictures of male western black widows (brown in color): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_widow_spider
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I use a spray called "Pyranha" it's main ingredient is pyrethrin. It's harmless to humans. Spiders are not listed on it but it works.
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Just use a bug bomb on each floor and especially the basement at least once or twice a year and I can guarantee no bugs ever again!
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Bottom line up front: Call a professional for extermination and general spider tips. A few things you should know: Black Widow spiders are shy, very unaggressive spiders. They never seek-out human victims. They only bite when surprised and/or in defense. Black Widow spider bites cause immediate and intense, spreading pain. These bites are usually self-limited and usually do not require treatment. However, if an elderly, sick or very young person suffers a painful spider bite (Black Widow bites are never painless), they should seek immediate medical attention. Black Widow spiders tend to collect among areas where debris and hiding places are plentiful, most commonly in/around woodpiles. Young children should be kept away from such places. I do not recomend killing any more black widow spiders in/near your house. If you see spiders and you believe they may be Black Widows, avoid them, do not try to kill them, and call a professional. Good luck.
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