What To Do About Black Widows On Your Tracy Property
About The Black Widow
Learning what to do about black widows on your Tracy Property can begin with knowing the enemy. The western black widow is the common type of widow spider found in Tracy, California. The males are noticeably smaller than the females. Females are generally a shiny black color, and males may be black with gray and brown shading. Both males and females may have distinct markings, but the female hourglass is typically orange to red. In contrast, males may feature yellow or orange shapes, not necessarily in the recognizable hourglass.
Black Widow Bites
The western black widow spider is less aggressive and less toxic than the southern black widow, and although bites are fairly uncommon, they can still be harmful. This type of spider is a web dweller who does not seek to come out to attack humans unless disturbed or provoked. Bites primarily happen when black widows feel their home, egg sac, or the spider herself feels threatened.
If a California homeowner unintentionally stumbles into a web, turns over a piece of wood, or knocks over a rock where a black widow has set up shop, a bite could occur. It is usually the female who bites, as she has larger venom glands and fangs. Black widows produce a neurotoxin that may cause sweating, pain, swelling, cramps, and breathing difficulty. Bite victims should seek prompt medical attention to be safe.
Preventing Black Widow Problems Before They Begin
The best way to take care of a pesky black widow issue is to prevent one from happening in the first place. Check out these steps that can save homeowners a great deal of stress in the long run.
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Step 1 - Block access. One of the main ways to prevent black widows from entering is to block how they come into the house. Caulk any cracks that exist (especially on main floors and in basements) and use weatherstripping for doors that open to the exterior.
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Step 2 - Keep wood away. Any firewood located on property grounds should be stored at least 20 feet away from the residence. Don gloves, stack wood neatly into a holder that sits off the ground, and regularly remove webs from the area.
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Step 3 - Trim greenery. Black widow spiders like to take refuge in small hedges near structures. Prevent the appeal of these areas by keeping shrubs nice and trim near the house. Be sure to remove spindly undergrowth.
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Step 4 - Tidy up additional spaces. Black widows are constantly on the lookout for fixer-uppers. They are suckers for underused areas like garages, basements, outbuildings, barns, sheds, crawl spaces, and even the underside of decks. Keeping these areas free of debris and clutter can reduce prime real estate for these pests.
Solve Black Widow Issues By Partnering With Patriot Pest Management
Are you wondering what to do about black widows on your Tracy Property? Are you worried about suffering a black widow bite? The best solution is to reach out for professional help. Dealing with black widows can be dangerous, but it doesn’t have to be. We at Patriot Pest Management are here to help; our trained experts develop a targeted plan and then spend time implementing it to send those scary black widows packing. We offer both residential pest control as well as commercial pest management services.
Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30am-4:30pm | Sat: 9am-2pm | Sun: Closed
Residential Service Hours: Mon-Sat: 7:30am-4:30pm | Sun: Closed
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Mon-Sat: 4am-8pm | Sun: Closed