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Black Widows Identification and Control in Utah

Correct identification is an important first step in pest control.

Latrodectus Hesperus
Latrodectus Hesperus

Black widows prefer preexisting holes in dark, undisturbed areas. They hide during the day and are in their cobwebs at night. Black widows are common around building foundations, rock and wood piles, outbuildings, water meter/irrigation boxes and around exterior lighting.

Adult female black widow spiders are a shiny black color with a red hourglass on the underside of the abdomen (there are beneficial lookalikes without the red hourglass).

Immature females have a pale brown to black body with a white to orangish banding; they get progressively more solid black as they molt toward adulthood.

Male black widows are about 1/3 of the size of females are pale brown with white markings, resembling immature females.

Need help controlling black widows?

Thorn Pest Services Identify the pest with our Black Widow Spider gallery

Are they dangerous
Are they dangerous

Black widows can be a serious health risk, especially to children and elderly people. Their bite can cause pain, nausea, cramping or in rare cases death.

Learn more by reading our blog post: Utah Spiders: Guide to Identification and Prevention.

Name:

Latrodectus hesperus

Impact:

Painful bites

Habit:

Nocturnal, meaning they are awake at night

Thorn Pest Services Tips for keeping black widows away

How To Keep Spiders Away
Pest control experts
  • Minimize their harborage around the property.

  • Seal exterior cracks and crevices to reduce hiding places.

  • Install tight-fitting door sweeps and window screens.

  • Change exterior lighting to sodium vapor or yellow bulbs.

  • Regularly vacuum individuals and webs.

  • Reduce clutter indoors and outdoors.

  • Reduce insects that serve as food.

About black widow spiders
Pest control experts

    Black widow spiders are a common spider around homes and structures here in Utah. They build three-dimensional webs of tangles lines that fill space and are usually built under some sort of overhang that they can use for cover. They have striking black and red coloring.

    Black Widow Bites

    The bite of a black widow is not very painful often feeling like a pinprick if it is felt at all. Within about an hour, symptoms develop including severe pain, localized sweating, reduced urine output, and rigid abdominal muscles. The symptoms mimic those of appendicitis. Some experience flu like symptoms. There is antivenin but doctors can be hesitant to use it. Symptoms usually dissipate over a few days.

Don't let black widows take over.
Thorn can help.

Black widows can be a serious health risk, especially to children and elderly people. Their bite can cause pain, nausea, cramping or in rare cases death.

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Thorn Pest Solutions

How thorn can help

Pests can be difficult to control, but that’s what we are here for. We create a strategic plan to gain control of your problem and make sure we get results.

Thorn's Approach

We take a scientific approach to pest control. We start with an inspection and assessment to help us identify the pest, locate where they are, and create a specific plan for your property. Every home and business is different and requires a unique strategy.

Black Beetle. Thorn Diagram.

Thorn Pest Services

Driven by science.
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Proper pest management starts with a detailed inspection and assessment from an expert pest professional before treatment. Thorn Pest Solutions uses a three-step process rooted in science to eliminate pests with long-term results.

Assess Situation

First, we identify the root problem(s) with a site assessment. Pests are almost always an indicator of an environmental condition. This will determine the best actions to provide short and your long-term results against pests.

Execute Action Plan

Next, we develop a plan to fix the problems we discovered. This includes solving current pest issues, eliminating conducive conditions, and monitoring for future pest activity. Good pest management starts with a good plan.

Track Success

Lastly, we implement the solutions we developed including inspection, monitoring, and preventing future pest infestations. Good pest control requires a good offense and not just defense. Prevention is key.

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