Are Black Widow Spiders In Ventura County Dangerous?

Are Black Widow Spiders In Ventura County Dangerous?

Black widow spiders are the most venomous spiders in North America. Their venom is 15 times as toxic as a prairie rattlesnake’s venom. The black widow can be found indoors and outdoors throughout the Ventura County area. Only the female black widow is dangerous to humans. The male black widow is reclusive and rarely seen by humans. Sometimes, a female black widow will kill the male after mating. There are roughly 2,200 black widow bites reported every year in the U.S.

How To Identify A Black Widow

The body of a female black widow spider is around half an inch long. Normally, the female is shiny black and has a red hourglass marking on the underside of her abdomen. The marking may range in color from yellowish orange to red and the shape can vary as well. Black widow spiders prefer dark places and may hide in garages, basements, closets, cluttered areas, or anywhere that is dimly lit.

Dangers Black Widows Pose

Thankfully, no one has died from a black widow bite in over ten years. However, serious reactions to a bite will often require a trip to the emergency room and may require the use of narcotics and antivenin to counteract the effects of the black widow’s venom. Some patients require hospital stays, especially children and elderly patients. Doctors’ offices and urgent care centers may not be equipped to treat black widow bites. If you or someone you know is bitten by a black widow spider, call Poison Control right away at (800)222-1222.

Turn To The Professionals

DIY methods of spider removal often fail when not every spider is found and taken care of. If you do not remove any hidden egg sacs, you risk having hundreds of spiders hatching. A black widow can lay up to five sacks, each containing as many as 200 eggs. Some females live for more than three years.

Keep in mind there are reasons the black widow and other spiders come inside Ventura County homes – food and shelter. If you are seeing spiders around your home, then they have found a reliable food source, which is other pests. Harmful pests like black widow spiders are not something to mess with. Trust the professionals at Ventura County Pest Control. Our six-step treatment plan ensures you won’t have to worry about black widow spiders or other pests. Contact us for a free no-obligation pest evaluation. Our lines are open 24/7.

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