Are you sure they are black widows? They usually like to live in dark secluded places, lik crawl spaces, sheds, etc... Spiders are very beneficial for the garden, so I would say you should confirm they are in fact black widows before trying to eradicate them, and in the mean time be sure to wear gloves and use great care when working in the garden. They won't bite unless you corner them and they feel provoked. Elbow length gloves would be wise.

You don't indicate where you live or even your gardening zone, which is very helpful information to give in your posts. Since Black Widows tend to be very regional and seldom inhabit open areas such as gardens most controls for them are directed toward inside dwellings. So I too question if that is really what they are or if they might not be what are called "false windows" .

But if they are indeed Black Widows then you can use any of the many horticultural oil sprays (Neem Oil is an example of one) or diatomaceous earth dust - both organic and safe for gardens.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: IPM management of spiders

Neem oil and diatomaceous earth can be found in the pesticide aisle at the big box stores like HD or lowes. For neem, I think those stores carry Bonide brand stuff, at least in my area(NJ)that's what they have. Being a spray, the neem would probably be easier as you could just spray them directly. Not to doubt you or the pest guys, but you may want to take a good photo or two and send it to the entomology dept of a nearby university for a positive ID.

Thanks very much. I will take a photo of the next one I see and send it off for confirmation. I will go this weekend and look for the products that you mentioned.

I understand how you feel, I also have a healthy native population of Black Widows here, and I like all spiders... Except those! I have found acouple in the garden, mostly in heavy cover or under some black plastic I had been using, so I'm also surprised you're finding them in the corn. Frankly, I control them by squiishing them in the garden, shovel, hoe, bricks, whatever is handy. Good luck!

As I said Neem Oil was offered as just an example of what I was talking about. There are many different brands available. Just Google 'horticultural oil" for a list of all the brands available. Same goes for diata. earth - many brands commonly available in most any pesticide section of any store that sells garden pesticides.

If you choose to use the oils be sure to follow the label directions carefully and only spray them in the early AM or late evening, never in the direct sun or heat of the day. They can cause damage to plants if abused.

Dave

Black widows can and DO inhabit shrub borders and gardens. But I sure would like to see a good picture, tinatr. I'm over loaded with BWs around here; they live in our garage and garden shed. One summer, they kept setting up housekeeping under all of our porch furniture...a fact discovered one evening when they came out to play while we were sitting outside. Boric acid and DE in the garage and shed works reasonably well.

I don't believe that neem oil is even on the LONG list of products that might be helpful in controlling spiders. Neem needs to be ingested by the arthropod before it can be effective.

Thanks again everyone. If (or more likely when) I see another in my garden I will definitely post a picture. I have been dealing with these spiders for 12 years now, ever since we built our house in what was formerly farm land. We have our home and surrounding area sprayed regularly every 3 months to control for them but my garden is not in an area that is sprayed for obvious reasons. We have taken efforts to remove their habitat by getting rid of bricks, etc., that were used for landscaping and made lovely little homes for them but I don't know that we will ever be completely free of them. I don't scare easily but these things terrify me. I always wear gloves but now I am afraid to even work in there! Thank you for all of the suggestions. By the way, I called my pest control guy and asked for his opinion and he told me to spray liquid sevin dust every day until I don't see anymore. Scary much? :)

Good luck tin, and yes that is a scary recommendation with the sevindust. I can't believe that stuff is so readily available on the market! Have you ever looked at the ingredients, it's absolutely toxic stuff, and in my opinion should require a license to use. But then again, a lot of " organic" controls can be extremely toxic too, which I don't think some people realize...