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Black widow in the middle of the living room.

10 years ago

So we wake up this morning I walk into the living room and right in the middle on the carpet is what looks like a dead spider. I get close and it's a black widow on its back not moving, I figured it was dead and got a cup to scoop it up and it started moving as I was scooping it.

I was under the assumption most black widows were outdoors in dark crevices not out in the open inside a house just laying ther in daylight. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old that were just running into the room as i saw the spider. Scary to think my little one probably would have tried picking it up if I hadn't seen it.

Any suggestions? Time to call an exterminator? I got some home defense spray and covered all the windows and doors inside and sprayed all around the windows and base of the house outside but the thought of these spiders inside where my children play is freaking me out.

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Comments (2)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
10 years ago
BWs are quite adaptable. Living in close proximity with them is a way of life for us. If I were you, I'd concentrate on a major clean up OUTSIDE of the house using rake, broom, weedeater, and a hose. Turn all of the patio furniture over, toss stacks of old pots, etc.

The primary breeding area at our home is the attached garage. We now keep it rather spartan and clean it frequently. We dust the perimeters with diatomaceous earth and /or boric acid, both of which help a great deal.

Inside, housekeeping is very important, too. Turn the furniture over and vacuum the "innards", move the fridge and any other appliance you can in order to vacuum and sprinkle the diatomaceous earth.

I can't have any toxic chemicals around me, but I really don't think that the spraying is any more effective than actually making it impossible for them to set up housekeeping in the first place.

Make sure that the seals are tight around all of the doors and windows, too. Don't rely on chemicals.

I'm speaking totally from experience, by the way. BWs are extremely common around here and at one time they seemed to be everywhere, inside and out.

Good luck.....they really aren't that difficult to get rid of.

I'm speaking from experience, by the way.
lazy_gardens
10 years ago
" I really don't think that the spraying is any more effective than actually making it impossible for them to set up housekeeping in the first place. "

Me too, and I live where they can survive outdoors year-round. They are very resistant to spray, but will keep moving in if you have pest-friendly housing.

They need food and shelter ... make it go away.

Concentrate on habits and changes that will control the spider's prey (usually crickets and cockroaches) in and near the house.

Clean up clutter that could shelter them in or near the house, and trim bushes that could give them a bridge to the house. I reduced the bug population of my house considerably by removing overgrown foundation plantings and debris.

BLOCKING ENTRY: Caulk any gaps around windows and doors with a good outdoor or indoor caulk. Stuff insulation into holes for pipes and then caulk. Make sure thresholds and weather stripping seal well. (this also saves energy)

Don't keep recycling bins in the house - roaches love the food cans, spiders love the roaches.

Declutter and clean - If there is prey, nothing makes black widows happier than piles of boxes in a basement, piles of old firewood, heavy and seldom-moved draperies. etc.
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