How To Get Rid of Black Widows In Your Garage
Are you dealing with black widows in your garage? Many of us have a fear or an aversion to spiders, and would not want to share our space with them– harmless or not! In this case, these particular spiders can be very dangerous. It is important to get rid of them as soon as possible if they are beginning to enter your space. Read on to learn more about the dangers of this particular species of spider, as well as some of the ways that you can get rid of them.
Dangers of Having Black Widows In Your Garage
The black widow is a species of web-spinning spider. It is immediately identifiable by its black body with a red hourglass shape on the abdomen. This particular species does not want to be bothered by humans and generally tries to keep to itself. However, if you should see a black widow– or more than one– in your garage, you should be very careful. This is because black widows are a dangerous species of spiders. They are not harmless like Daddy Longlegs spiders or others that you may find in your cold, dark garage space.
Black widow spiders are, in fact, the most venomous spider in all of North America. The venom of a black widow is about 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake. It uses a chemical known as alpha-latrotoxin, which overwhelms nerve cells and causes extreme amounts of pain. The venom affects the nervous system of the bitten, and symptoms can include redness at the site, swelling, burning, and excruciating pain. Their venom can be fatal to many animals, but rarely to humans– though it can still be incredibly painful and uncomfortable.
How to Get Rid of Black Widows In Your Garage
When you are trying to get rid of the black widows in your garage space, there are several different ways that you can do so. However, the safest and most foolproof option is always going to be to call professional exterminators to deal with the infestation. Take a look at some of the following techniques for dealing with black widow spiders.
Use Smell
Smells can be an effective way to drive away animals and certain insects. There are some smells that will deter black widow spiders, too. They are averse to most strong smells, especially those that have either a citrus or menthol base. Some of these include citronella, eucalyptus, lemon juice, and peppermint oil. Tea tree oil and menthol can be effective, too. You can apply these scents to the garage in different ways. For instance, you can get some essential oils and dilute them in water, then spray the space to spread the smell. You can also use the same essential oils, but instead, soak cotton balls in the oils and place them around the garage space. You can even light a citronella candle in the space if you already have one on hand– camping candles are often scented with citronella to keep the bugs away.
Use Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the more aggressive methods for eliminating a black widow infestation. It is a technique that will actually kill the spiders, rather than just run them out of the garage. This is because vinegar will disintegrate the body of a black widow spider if it comes into contact with it. Therefore, you can make a homemade spider spray with vinegar. Simply mix equal amounts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and then you can spritz the spiders and their webs. Vinegar will be able to deal with spider eggs if you are dealing with a nest situation as well.
This is also helpful because vinegar is something that you very likely already have in your kitchen cupboard, so it is easy to make the spider spray on the fly, and it is also inexpensive! Just be careful not to come into physical contact with the spiders, because you do not want to be bitten, of course.
Use a Vacuum
A vacuum can also be a handy tool to deal with black widow spiders without getting too close. After all, with the power of the venom in this little spider’s body, you don’t want to risk getting bitten! Plus, a vacuum is better equipped to deal with large amounts of black widows or spider nests– it will be easy to suck up the spiders in large volumes. Simply flip on the vacuum and use the hose nozzle to suck up the spiders, their webs, and any nest or egg situation that may be present. This keeps you safe while still cleaning up the area and getting rid of the arachnids.
However, you should be very careful about where you empty the vacuum bag afterwards! Obviously, the last thing that you want to do is transport the spiders into your home by emptying the vacuum bag into your trash can, for example. This has even more potential for danger– for not only you, but your family and any pets you may have!
Remove Food Sources
Black widow spiders are very likely setting up shop in your garage because there is a plentiful food source here. That would be in the form of insects. So, if you are dealing with a fly infestation or another influx of bugs into your space, this is probably the reason that you are now seeing black widows in your garage, too. Generally, black widows prefer to live outside and not come into contact with humans.
What you can do is eliminate the food source that the spiders are preying upon. Use the methods necessary for dealing with those insects and make sure the garage is sealed tightly so that they are unable to get in. Then, you will eliminate the reason for the black widows to want to be in your garage in the first place.
Clean Up
This method is one that is recommended when you are dealing with many infestations, not just s black widow infestation. The logic behind it is that cleaning up your garage will eliminate possible food sources for the pests, as well as any possible hiding places! Plus, many rodents and insects are attracted to a space due to dirt, dust, or clutter. Spiders also like to hide in dark, quiet spaces, so piles of garbage, old clothing, or other items may provide a perfect shelter for them where they feel safe and protected.
Call the Professionals
If you have exhausted all of the above methods and still have black widows in your garage, it’s time to call professional exterminators. They will be able to successfully rid your space of the dangerous arachnids and are much better equipped to do so than you will be. Truthfully, this is the safest option on the list– with black widow spiders, sometimes it is best to skip the stage where you try to do this yourself, and just go straight to hiring a pro!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there black widows in my garage?
If you have black widow spiders in your garage, it is probably because you already had an existing insect issue. Insects are a food source for spiders– black widows included– so this is likely why the black widows have found their way into your garage. Generally, black widows do prefer to live outside, so it is due to the food source, as well as the dark nooks and crannies in a garage, that make the garage so appealing to black widows.
What kills black widows instantly?
Black widows can be very dangerous, so if they have entered your home or your garage, you likely want something that will kill them on contact in order to keep your family and pets safe. One of the easy ways to kill black widows instantly is to use vinegar, which you likely have in your home already– so there is no need to make a trip out to the store! The acidity of the vinegar will burn the spider’s body on contact.
How do I get rid of spiders in my garage?
There are many different methods that you can use to get rid of the spiders that are plaguing your garage. One of these is to make a spider repellent from peppermint oil. You can also clean your space and remove clutter, which eliminates many hiding places for spiders. Just be careful when you are cleaning so that you do not get bitten by any spiders while you are doing so!
What do you do for a black widow infestation?
If you are experiencing an infestation of black widow spiders, either in your garage or inside your house, the safest thing to do is to contact professionals. This is because of the deadly nature of these spiders– it is better to be safe, rather than sorry! Professional pest control companies and exterminators will have the knowledge, experience, and tools to successfully eliminate the black widow infestation without getting hurt.
