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A black widow spider on a leaf
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How to Get Rid of Black Widows

Finding a black widow spider in your home or yard can be alarming.

With their red hourglass marking and venomous bite, they’re one of the most recognizable species of spider in North America. But should you kill a black widow spider, or is there a better way to handle the situation?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the safest decision.

Key Takeaways

  • Black widow spiders are black with a red hourglass marking and often hide in garages, basements, and woodpiles.
  • Their bites can cause pain, cramping, and nausea, and people with severe symptoms should get medical help quickly.
  • You can remove a spider by safely relocating it or killing it with a vacuum, jar, or pest solution.
  • To keep them away, seal cracks, clean cluttered spaces, handle firewood with gloves, and call pest control right away.

1. Identify the Black Widow Spider

Before taking action, make sure the spider you’ve found is truly a black widow spider.

Female black widow spiders are glossy black with a red hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen. On the other hand, male black widow spiders are smaller, lighter in color, and less venomous.

Note that brown widow spiders are similar but have a tan or brown body with an orange hourglass marking.

2. Assess the Risk

Black widow spiders are not aggressive and only bite in self-defense. However, their venomous bite can cause severe symptoms, including:

  • Muscle pain and cramping
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Nausea or sweating
  • In rare cases, difficulty breathing

While black widow spider bites can be painful, they are rarely fatal. Children, the elderly, and those with health conditions are at higher risk of complications.

If you or someone in your household has been bitten and experiences severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

In extreme cases, visit the emergency room.

3. Decide Whether to Remove or Relocate

If the black widow spider is inside your home or in an area where people frequently walk by, removal is the best option.

However, if it’s outside in a secluded spot, you might consider leaving it alone—black widows help control other pests like roaches and other small critters.

Do not handle this dangerous spider with bare hands.

If you need a closer look, use a flashlight or take a photo from a safe distance.

4. Safely Remove or Kill the Spider

Option 1: Non-Lethal Removal (Best for Outdoor Spiders)

If you prefer not to kill spiders, you can relocate the black widow away from your home.

What You’ll Need:

  • A jar with a lid
  • Garden gloves (or thick gloves)
  • A piece of stiff paper

How to Do It:

  1. Wear gloves for protection.

  2. Place the jar over the spider, ensuring you don’t press down too hard.

  3. Gently slide the stiff paper under the jar to trap the spider.

  4. Carry the jar outside and release the spider in a faraway area.

Option 2: Kill the Black Widow (If Necessary)

If relocation isn’t an option, follow these steps for safe elimination.

What You’ll Need:

  • Vacuum cleaner (best for indoor spiders)
  • A jar or container (for crushing)
  • A professional spider control solution

How to Do It:

  1. For Indoor Spiders: Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to suck up the spider and dispose of the vacuum bag immediately.

  2. For Outdoor Spiders: If it’s not in a hard-to-reach place, use a jar or container to crush it quickly.

If you have multiple spiders or egg sacs, consider calling a professional pest control company.

5. Prevent Future Black Widow Infestations

To keep them from returning, take these preventive steps:

  • Seal crevices around doors, windows, and walls.
  • Declutter garages, closets, attics, basements, and storage areas where spiders like to hide.
  • Keep woodpiles and crawl spaces clean—these are favorite hiding spots.
  • Wear gloves when handling firewood or reaching into dark spaces.
  • Use professional pest control services if you notice an increase in spider activity.

Protect Your Home from Dangerous Spiders Today

If you’re dealing with a large infestation, multiple egg sacs, or frequent sightings, it’s time to call a pest control company.

At Native Pest Management, we specialize in spider control and can safely remove black widow spiders from your home.

Our expert team knows where these arachnids like to hide—garages, basements, attics, storage areas, and woodpiles—and we use family- and pet-friendly solutions to keep them from coming back.

Give us a call today for a free inspection and let us take care of the problem for you!