There are more than a few types of spiders that invade homes here in Oklahoma City. We have little spiders that weave intricate webs. We have big spiders that hunt their prey from the ground. We even have some spiders with venom so powerful they can kill small animals. Today we will be talking about one dangerous spider, the black widow, and providing options to keep spiders out of your Oklahoma City home. If that is something you are interested in, here are some things to consider today.
What Do Black Widow Spiders Look Like?
Black widow spiders are web weaving spiders. You are most likely to find one of these pests in a forest, grassland, or urban area. If found indoors, black widows seek shelter in secluded places like dimly lit garages, the corners of dark basements, and storage areas. These hiding spots make them even more dangerous as you are more likely to run into one of these pests in the dark accidentally. If you do not know what a black widow spider looks like, it is about 1 ½ to 1 ? inches long, black, and has a bulbous abdomen with a red hourglass-shaped mark on it. The good news is that there are no spiders that look like black widows here in Oklahoma City, which makes these arachnids a bit easier to identify.
Is A Black Widow Spider's Bite Lethal?
Many dangerous spiders live in the United States. What might come as a shock to you is we only have, on average, seven spider-related deaths each year. Black widows do help contribute to this number. People most likely to suffer a fatal bite from a black widow include infants, the elderly, and people with preexisting medical conditions that make them more susceptible to insect venom. A bite from this pest often causes moderate to severe pain and a laundry list of symptoms, including nausea, swelling, breathing difficulties, and tremors. The good news is that many of these symptoms can be mitigated with medical attention. In short, if a black widow bites you, do not panic, seek medical attention immediately, and despite the discomfort and pain, you will be ok.
How Do You Prevent Spiders From Coming Inside?
Spiders break into homes here in Oklahoma City mainly to hunt for insects, arthropods, and other arachnids. For this reason, if you are looking for an answer to how to prevent spiders, your best option is to put in place some general pest prevention strategies. Here are a few to try today:
- Make sure your home's exterior is properly sealed.
- Address moisture issues in and around your home.
- Knock down spider webs around your home's exterior.
- Keep your living areas and yard as clean and tidy as possible.
- Trim back bushes and branches from your home's exterior.
- Store leftover food inside airtight containers.
What's The Safest Way To Get Rid Of Black Widow Spiders?
Although you can partially prevent spiders in your home with DIY, it is not a guaranteed solution. The best answer to your problem is to hire the experts at Alpha Omega Pest Control. Our team of dedicated technicians understands dangerous spiders and works hard to ensure members of our community do not have to worry about finding threatening pests inside your homes. If that is something you're interested in or would like an infestation of spiders removed from your Oklahoma City home, we are here to help.
Call today to learn more about why Alpha Omega Pest Control is your best option for residential and commercial pest control in Oklahoma City.