There are three types of poisonous spiders in North America. If you live in New Jersey, it is likely that you can name two of them. Obviously, one is the black widow spider. It is named in the heading of this article. The other two are the brown recluse spider and the hobo spider. You may not know the hobo spider because it is more of a West Coast problem, but brown recluse spiders are found all over the country. Fortunately, the only brown recluse infestations we have in New Jersey are from spiders being transported into the state from states where they are localized populations. This happens by accident when furniture, storage boxes and other objects brown recluse hide in are move from one location to another. Black widow spiders like to hide in furniture and stored boxes as well. But they don't have to be transported from another state. We have localized populations right here in New Jersey. Here are a few more important facts you should know about black widow spiders.
Are black widow spider infestations common?
No. Not really. But they do happen, and it is important that you recognize the signs of a black widow infestation.
How can I tell if I have black widow spiders in my home?
- Black widow spiders create tangled webs. They don't look like the beautifully crafted webs you see hanging on display during Halloween.
- The webs of black widows are usually near the floor and in dark or concealed locations.
- You'll find black widow spider webs in undisturbed locations of your home. While the black widow doesn't have the word "recluse" in its name, it is very reclusive.
- The webs created by black widows are made with strong silk. When you pull on a thread, you may hear it snap when you break it.
- If you see a black widow hanging in the middle of a web upside down, it is safe to conclude that it is a black widow spider web. You may also find the spider above or below the web, waiting for a meal to get caught in its trap.
Will a black widow spider bite kill you?
This is one of the most common questions we get about black widows. We're also asked a variant of this question: "Are black widow spiders dangerous to humans?" We're happy to say that deaths from black widow bites are very rare, and it is also rare for these spiders to bite people. They prefer to flee rather than bite. Bites usually occur when a black widow is brought into contact with the skin, such as when someone picks up a shirt from the floor and puts it on with a black widow hiding inside it or when someone crawls into bed with a black widow hiding in the tousled blanket.
What to do if a black widow bites you?
If you are bitten by a black widow, it is wise to seek medical attention. The symptoms of a black widow bite can be severe if the spider chooses to give you a full dose of its venom.
Detecting Black Widow Spiders
It is important to be able to spot a black widow spider in or around your New Jersey home. It is fairly straight forward to distinguish a black widow from other spiders. They are jet black in color and hairless. You may also see a red hourglass symbol on the bottom of the spider's abdomen. But you don't need that hourglass to know that it is best to not touch a black, hairless spider, as a general rule.
What do I do if I find a black widow spider in my home?
While a black widow doesn't prefer to be indoors and may go back outside on its own, it is a good idea to get an educated pest professional to do an inspection, just in case. A pest professional will be able to give you insight into how that spider got inside and, most importantly, how you can prevent other black widow spiders from getting into your New Jersey home. For assistance with this in Morganville and the surrounding New Jersey communities, reach out to Arrow Pest Control. We're always available to help.
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Should the monitors indicate termite activity or termites occur within the home, Arrow will provide you with a termite treatment proposal at a 50% discounted rate, and you will be upgraded to Arrow Premier at the current prevailing rate.
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*Termite monitoring advantage is not applicable in over-55 communities
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