Are You Seeing Black Widow Spiders In Your Home Lately?

If you live in Tucson, Phoenix, or elsewhere in Southern Arizona, you may have noticed an increase in the number of black widow spiders in and around your home recently. Here at Northwest Exterminating, we’ve received several reports of black widow activity inside homes in the last week alone and thought it might be a good idea to share a bit about these pests including how to identify a black widow spider, why homeowners are seeing them right now, and how to make your property less appealing to these venomous spiders.

How do you tell if a spider is a black widow?

Black widow spiders are easily recognizable by their shiny black bodies, which are typically about half an inch long. They usually have a distinctive red hourglass shape on their underside, which is a sure sign of their presence. Male black widows are smaller than females and do not have the hourglass marking.

Why you might be seeing black widows inside your home this spring

If you’ve noticed an increase in black widow spider activity in your home lately, it could be because they are emerging to mate. While mating typically occurs in the springtime, it can extend into early summer.

You might also be seeing these arachnids around your home because they’re foraging for food and searching for shelter. Like other species of spiders in Arizona, these pests feed on other insects. They prefer dark, secluded areas such as garages, sheds, and less trafficked areas.

What repels black widow spiders?

Rather than focusing on what repels black widow spiders, let’s take a look at how you can make your property less appealing to them. Try implementing these pest-proofing tips if you want to keep your home free of black widows:  

• Keep your property tidy and free of clutter. Black widows like to hide in piles of debris, so be sure to keep your yard, garage, and storage areas picked up.
• Regularly vacuum window and door frames, under furniture, and other areas where black widows might be lurking.
• Seal cracks and gaps in your home's exterior to prevent spiders from entering. Be sure to check doors, windows, and screens for damage.
• Keep your home dry. Black widows like moist environments, so be sure to fix any leaks or other sources of moisture in your home.
• Replace bulbs in exterior lights with yellow light bulbs as they deter bugs that black widows feed upon.
• Trim back bushes, tall grasses, and any overgrowth the provide coverage for black widows in your yard.

What to do if you find black widow spiders infesting your Southern AZ home

If you’ve discovered a black widow (or several) in your home, contact Northwest Exterminating today. Black widow spider bites are not pleasant for most individuals so it’s best to leave the extermination to trained pest control specialists.

As a leading Arizona pest control company, our locally operated team provides pest control services throughout Southern Arizona that not only eliminate existing pest activity but prevent spiders, insects, and rodents from taking over. Check out our home pest control plans below or simply give us a shout to discuss your pest problem!