Black Widow Help???

Question

I feel sorry for the black widows. They haven't done much to us, and we're killing them in return. I feel the weight of guilt in my stomach. Is there a way to get rid of them without killing or poisoning them?

Answer 1

I never kill black widows...I just let them be. If you find one in your house just put it outside..no need to kill or poison it.

Answer 2

I pretty much live in harmony with them. They rarely come into the house, they don't like that environment. Outside or in the garage, they usually stay out of the way. They simply are not aggressive toward humans. Most bites are caused when the widow gets pressed against the skin. Now, I will kill one if it is in an inconvenient place, but it's not strictly necessary. You could simply relocate it, as I frankly do with most spiders. They are too numerous and hardy to exterminate anyway, and so mild-mannered that it isn't worth the trouble.

Answer 3

I'd suggest trying to get rid of places they'd like to live. Black widow spiders like dark, protected, damp areas - like inside hollow logs (or woodpiles), underneath decks, on low-lying branches under trees or shrubs, or even in meter boxes or along pipes.
There's no way to get rid of all of these areas, but to make them less pleasant for spiders, spray them with lemon-scented cleaner or other strong-smelling essential oil.
Clean up the area around your house of any woody debris and don't let trees/shrubs grow right next to the house.

Answer 4

I just leave the alone unless they are some place I need to put my hand, then I try to get them into a jar and take them out in the woods. I don't recommend this unless you have some thick gloves, and a long stick to move the spider. Their bite is very painful.