What is your opinion of spiders? Most people are afraid of these pests or respect them enough not to pick them up. The question is, are spiders in our area as dangerous as people make them out to be? We are here today to answer this question and to take a deeper look into one harmful spider you should have on your radar, the black widow. This is what you should know.
How Many Spiders Are Dangerous In Tampa?
Tampa is home to a wide variety of spider species. Most do not pose any serious medical threat to humans, some have painful but not life-threatening bites, and only two have ever been responsible for taking human life. The two spiders you should be most worried about in our area are the black widow and the brown recluse. Of these two pests, the black widow is by far the most common.
What Makes Black Widows Dangerous?
Black widows are one of the larger species of spiders in our area. Now, this is not why they are dangerous. What makes a black widow dangerous is the potency of its venom. A bite from this pest is not only incredibly painful but also elicits symptoms such as burning, swelling, and redness. In many cases, bites also inflict other complications, including nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, sweating, itching, severe abdominal cramping and pain, and moderate to severe neurological issues.
Some Ways Black Widows Get Into Homes
Black widow spiders invade homes in a few different ways. Most of the time, these pests will crawl in through gaps and cracks found in the exterior foundation of properties. They might also get inside through torn screens, damaged door sweeps, and open doors and windows. If a black widow’s egg sack hatches on the exterior of your home, baby widows might find their way indoors.
Prevention Tips For Black Widows
Preventing black widows take a fair amount of effort, mainly because to keep them out, you also have to address the insects, arthropods, and other arachnids they invade to hunt for. If you have some extra time on your hand and are up for the task, here is a detailed list of prevention tips to use:
- Trim your lawn and landscaping regularly.
- Eliminate sources of water build-up around your property.
- Keep your yard clear of clutter and debris.
- Avoid feeding your pets outdoors.
- Turn off exterior lights before going to bed at night.
- Repair damage to your home’s exterior.
- Seal gaps and cracks in your home’s foundation.
- Address damage to your home’s gutter system and make sure it is clear of debris.
- Fix leaks inside your home.
- Vacuum, sweep, and mop your floors regularly.
- Clean up food messes and drink spills as they happen inside your home.
- Store leftover food inside airtight containers.
- Wash out your pet’s food bowls after every meal.
- Use a dehumidifier indoors to keep moisture levels down.
How To Handle A Black Widow Infestation
Keeping up with pest problems is not easy. It takes constant attention and work. Let our team at EcoTech Pest Control Services get your home the protection it needs to make your life easier and keep out dangerous pests like black widows. We break down pest control to make it affordable to our community here in Tampa. With several effective options to choose from, you should have no trouble finding an answer to your property’s pest pressures.
Call us today to have your Tampa home and property inspected for pests and discuss your options with one of our friendly and knowledgeable technicians.