Black Widow
Description
The body of the female adult black widow spider can reach 1 1/2 inches with the legs fully extended. Female black widows are easy to recognize from their shiny black, globular bodies and the distinctive red hourglass shape on their underside. The black widow appears shiny and hairless to the naked eye. The widow spiders are primarily nocturnal, preferring to hide during daylight hours. Black widows build haphazard, tangled webs of impressively strong silk.
Habitat
Utah Black widow spiders prefer dry dark locations and will seek warm dwellings in winter. In nature, black widows build their webs on rocky outcroppings, under logs, and between stones, rock crevices and under loose bark and stones, in small trees and under bushes. Amidst human habitation, they typically hide in sheltered, dimly lit locations such as garages, dark corners, basements, closets, and cluttered areas.

Diet
Black widow spiders are formidable predators that feed on live insects, other spiders and arthropods, as well as on other members of their species.
Life Cycle & Reproduction
Black widows mate and spin egg sacs mostly during the warmer months. A female will produce 5 to 10 egg sacs in her lifetime. Each egg sac will have between 150 and 250 eggs. The eggs hatch in the egg sac and the spiderlings go through a molt before emerging about four weeks later. The newly freed spiderlings are cannibalistic and usually disperse quickly by ballooning (a process in which spiderlings elevate their abdomen and play out silk until their buoyancy is enough to carry them off on the air currents). Spiderlings at this stage can slip through window screening with ease. The small spiderlings are harmless to humans. The female black widow spider lives an average of one year, although some species can live up to three years in favorable environmental conditions. When black widow spider eggs hatch, spiderlings find sheltered hiding places to survive the winter. When warm weather returns, they finish developing into adults.
Threat
The female black widow spider is the most venomous spider in North America. Her tiny droplets of poison put both the rattlesnake and the scorpion to shame. Male and juvenile widows, however, pose no threat to humans. The venom of the female black widow spider is a neurotoxin. Muscle and chest pain or tightness are a few of the most common reactions to the widow toxin. The pain also may spread to the abdomen, producing cramping and nausea. Other general symptoms include: restlessness, anxiety, breathing and speech difficulty, and sweating. Often there is a general sense of discomfort shortly after the bite, and acute symptoms increase in severity. Symptoms usually decline after two to three days but some mild symptoms may continue for several weeks after recovery. The very old, very young and those with a history of high blood pressure (hypertensive) are at greatest risk. Prompt medical treatment can greatly reduce the danger from widow bites and has reduced fatalities to extremely low rates in recent years.
Common Utah Pests
- American Roaches
- Bed Bugs
- Black Widows
- Box Elder Bugs
- Brown Recluse
- Carpenter Ants
- Carpenter Bees
- Carpet Beetles
- Centipedes
- Earwigs
- Elm Seed Bugs
- Crickets
- German Roaches
- Hobo Spiders
- Honey Bees
- Indian Meal Moths
- Lawn Pests
- Mice
- Millipedes
- Norway Rats
- Oriental Roaches
- Paper Wasps
- Roof Rats
- Sow Bugs
- Termites
- Voles
- Yellow Jackets
Why Choose Guardian Pest Control
Superior Control
At Guardian, we use the most advanced products and treatment procedures available. The best nature and science have to offer for unbeatable control.
Highly Qualified
Certified, experienced professionals - Guardian is QualityPro, and GreenPro certified. Less than 3% of pest control companies in the U.S. receive the prestigious QualityPro Certification.
Year-Round Protection
Effective pest control is a process, not a one-time event. Guardian's ongoing inspection and control system provide unmatched protection 365 days a year.
17+ Years Experience
Locally owned and operated company. Providing top-notch service in Utah for almost two decades.
Free Estimates
No obligation quote, and absolutely no pressure. Affordable, straightforward pricing. Not the cheapest, just simply the best value for the price.
Rapid Response
Because when something is bugging you - we know that you want your pest problem solved as quickly as possible.
Special Offers
Save Money Today
Keep your home and family protected from over 25 common household pests. Guaranteed Pest free home 365 days a year.
*Initial Fee Applies, Limitations Apply
$120 OFF
Pest Control
Keep your home and family protected from over 25 common household pests such as spiders, ants, and wasps with our Home Defense Protection Plan for an initial clean-out service fee of only $129 (normally $249).
Coupon Code: HomeDefense120
$170 OFF
Pest Control
Keep your home protected from over 25 common household pests, PLUS pantry pests, and rodents (mice, rats, gophers, and voles) with our Home Defense PLUS Protection Plan for an initial clean-out service fee of only $129 (normally $299)
Coupon Code: HomeDefenseplus170