How to Get Rid of False Widow Spiders: Top Tips and Tricks
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False widow spiders can be easily removed by hand, vaccuming, or insecticides. Getting them out of your home isn’t even necessary as they virtually harmless towards humans and they help control the populations of other pests. That said, some people still want them gone.
While they’re nothing to be concerned about, the bite of false widow spiders are slightly venomous. Usually, the only symptom is pain, but there is always the chance of a severe allergic reaction. Other reasons people might want to remove them are because of aracnaphobia, or because they simply want to keep a tidy house.
A Look At False Widow Spiders
False Widow Spider Appearance
False widow spiders are less of a species and more of a earned from their resemblance to black widow spiders. They’re medium sized spiders with bodies that are typically dark brown to black in colouration, sometimes with reddish or cream-coloured markings. They have long slender legs and sleek bodies ranging in length from 7 to 14 millimetres.
False Widow Spider Habitats
False widows incredibly common across Australia and the rest of the world. Most species of false widow make their nests in dark, undisturbed areas such as attics, garages, basements, cupboards, and sheds, where they build irregular, tangle-like webs to catch prey.
False Widow Spider Life Cycle
Typically, false widow spiders live for about one to two years, though this depends on the species. The female false widow spider can lay several egg sacs in a year, each containing around 200 eggs which hatch after a few months.
Are False Widow Spiders Dangerous?
False widow spiders can deliver a painful bite, but their venom is less potent than that of black widows and generally not life-threatening to humans. Most bites typically only cause swelling and pain, however there is always the risk of an allergic reaction.
Differences Between False Widow Spiders and Black Widows
Black widows are more dangerous than false widow spiders, so being able to tell the difference is a useful skill to have. False widow spiders lack the distinctive red hourglass marking found on the abdomens of female black widows, although male black widows may also lack this feature. Black widows are also an outdoor species, so if you find one inside, though you should remain cautious, it’s much more likely to be a false widow spider.
Keeping False Widow Spiders Out
Signs False Widow Spiders are in Your Home
Spotting a false widow spider is the easiest way to tell that there might be others in your home. You might also find their webs in dark corners or the discarded remains of their egg sacs which are round, papery, and about the size of a pea.
You might also notice a false widow spider bite before you see it. Symptoms like pain, swelling, or redness, lasting 12 to 24 hours can indicate a false widow spider bite.
How to Prevent Widow Spiders Entering Your Home
It can be easier to keep false widow spiders out of your home in the first place rather than trying to remove them once they’re already inside. Preventing widow spiders is best done through a combination of cleanliness, home maintenance, and repellents.
Use essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, or citrus oils around entry points and areas where spiders are often found. The strong scents deter spiders. Mix a few drops of vinegar with water in a spray bottle and apply. Cedar, cinnamin, and vinegar also work.
Home Cleaning and Maintenance
Spiders thrive in dirty and messy environments where they can find ample hiding spots and plenty of insects to feed on. Regular cleaning, including dusting, vacuuming, and decluttering, eliminates their ability to hide, reduces the presence of pests for them to eat, and removes any webs that are already there. Sealing any cracks in windows, doors, walls also helps keep from entering your home.
Insect Sprays
Insecticide sprays contain active ingredients that target the nervous systems of spiders. By spraying insecticides in doorways, windows, and crevices, the likelihood of these spiders invading living spaces diminishes significantly.
Natural Scents
Some natural scents overwhelm spiders’ chemical receptors, making the environment less inviting. Among the most effective scents are peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree oil, citrus, vinegar, cedar, and cinnamon. Mix one of these essential oils with water and spray it around the house for maximum effectiveness.
How To Handle a False Widow Spider
A living false widow spider can be simply carried outside. It’s recommened to use gloves while handling them or dealing with any area where they might live for an extra layer of protection. Remember, while a false widow spider bite is rarely dangerous, they’re often still painful.
A good vacuum with a hose attachment can handily suck up spiders you come across, and is the most effective way to remove false widow spiders from your home. After vacuuming, make sure to seal the vacuum bag and toss it out immediately, preferably outside your home. You don’t want any escapees!
Prepare With First Aid Training for Spider Bites
Even the most harmless of spider bites needs proper first aid treatment to reduce pain and prevent an infection. When someone experiences an allergic reaction from a spider bite and goes into anaphylactic shock, that’s when knowing first aid is at its most essential.
Learn the skills and gain the confidence to handle health emergencies by enrolling in Skills Training College’s HLTAID011 Provide First Aid course. By learning thes essential, life-saving skills you can make a difference and ensure the safety of yourself and others under any circumstances.
By following the tips and strategies offered in this article, you can effectively manage false widow spiders and maintain a safe, spider-free home. Stay vigilant, take proactive measures, and seek professional help when needed to ensure the well-being of your household.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Deadliest Spider in Australia?
The deadliest spider in Australia is the Sydney funnel-web spider. Found in New South Wales it has fangs capable of piercing human skin, and its venom can severely affect the human nervous system, potentially leading to death if untreated. Thankfully, there have been no fatalities since the introduction of an antivenom in 1981.
How Deadly are Black Widow Spider Bites?
Black widow spider bites, while dangerous, are rarely fatal. Despite the potency of their venom, deaths from black widow bites are uncommon, and usually tally less than five per year worldwide.
What Do False Widow Spiders Eat?
False widow spiders have a diverse diet that includes both invertebrates and small vertebrates. They are known to consume various arthropods such as flies, wasps, centipedes, and even other spiders.