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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
 
Location: MS | I just discovered a black widow spider in my LQ. I haven't used it at all this winter or spring, so guess I gave her a perfect opportunity to set up housekeeping. But now I am freaked out that there may be more! Has anyone ever had this happen, and how did you handle it? Bug bomb? Hire an exterminator? I killed the intruder, but what if she had babies in the time I haven't looked in there?! |
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Expert
Posts: 2615
 
| We have them all around our yard,here.I know it would be pricey,and I'm sorry,but,as freaked out as I am about spiders,I'd have to have Orkin or Terminex,someone like that treat that trailer before I'd lay down another night in there. Might as well be a snake,to me.I'd RATHER it be a snake,to be honest. |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas | I would sure at least set of a bug fogger in there, and vacuum it all over. Maybe haul it to Orkin for a treatment or whatever it takes.................. I would rather a snake be in there than even a dead spider. I guarantee it. No joke. Intellectually I understand most spiders are not a real threat, but that heebie jeebie horror thing is totally attached to the spider idea big time. |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Clean the spider-prone area. Spiders like clutter. It gives them more places to burrow and hide. Remove any unnecessary clutter. Sprinkle the diatomaceous earth on the ground around their favorite hiding places. If they like hiding on shelves sprinkle it there, too. AND DO NOT USE TOO MUCH...How it works...Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring ingredient that is safe for humans and animals to ingest. Farmers use it in cattle troughs to kill unwanted insects. When bugs walk through the diatomaceous earth, the DE causes their skeletal structure to disintegrate, thus killing them. DE works on all exoskeletal bugs, not just spiders.Spiders and insects are small. All they have to do is walk through the DE and it begins to work on their structure. No need to sprinkle large clumps of DE around the house. When sprinkling on carpets, be mindful that vacuuming will create dust and spew it into the air...Make sure you wear a mask if you vacuum it up Sprinkle it in out of sight out of view areas (just like the places where spiders hide).Where to find it...You can find DE in the garden section of your home improvement stores. Do not use the DE commonly used in pool filters. DE intended for pools contain chemicals that you do not want sprinkled around you home.WARNING...Do not inhale diatomaceous earth. Wear a mask. One of DE's properties is to adhere to anything moist. Breathing it in will cause it to stick to your nasal cavity and lungsIf you have PETS...keep them out while you are de-spidering...Dogs like to sniff, so be sure to sprinkle the DE under furniture or in areas where your pets cannot breathe it in.Here are some more safety facts...The absorbent qualities of diatomite can result in a significant drying of the hands if handled without gloves. The flux-calcined form contains a highly crystalline form of silica, resulting in sharp edges. The sharpness of this version of the material makes it dangerous to breathe and a dust mask is recommended when working with it.The type of hazard posed by inhalation depends on the form of the silica. Crystalline silica poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis. Amorphous silica can cause dusty lungs, but does not carry the same degree of risk as crystalline silica. Natural or dried diatomite generally contains very low percentages of crystalline silica. Diatomite produced for pool filters is treated with high heat (calcining) and a fluxing agent (soda ash), causing the formerly amorphous silicon dioxide to assume its crystalline form.The crystalline silica content of the dusts particulate is regulated in the United States by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and there are guidelines for the maximum amounts allowable in the product and in the air near the breathing zone of workers. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
| We had an Orkin guy who found black widow spiders in our garage. He did not want to take care of it though it was clearly covered under our contract - really odd. He told me to set off one of those insect killing "bombs" that sprays an area when you aren't in there. I hated to do it, but we did and there haven't been any in there since. |
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Veteran
Posts: 123
Location: Indiana | Paul, Great info on DE. I hate spiders. Going to the pool supply store today! |
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Veteran
Posts: 229
| Linda Y, I live in a semi bad spider area, black widows and brown recluse. Actually the browns are much worse than those black ones. For the most part, I really am not much bothered by them. I dislike wasps and yellow jackets more. However, occasionally I get really fed up with all these critters. I know that it isn't very environmetally friendly, but I use the Raid bombs, the "just add water" ones. I've used them in both the attic and underneath the house. I've also sprayed Diazinon around the foundation. I've never had to do the inside proper. However, at my work place, we have an annual spider spray for the "widows", warehouse, office spaces, "the works", when nobody is at the facility. I have no doubt that one of these "just add water Raid bombs" would positively kill everything, especially if you left your cabinet doors open. For work they tell us remove all food, coffee cups, etc. prior to the treatment. For an LQ, I don't know. I think a person would definately want to wash the bedding if he or she did the bomb thing and air the LQ out good for a couple of days before using it. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: MS | Thanks so much for the good info! My online search was very discouraging...basically just telling me to find and squish! I will get some of the Raid add water bombs and set them off. Plan on pulling all the bedding out. There isn't much else in there now. I try to keep it clutter free just for my convenience. |
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Veteran
Posts: 229
| LindaY, The bombs come in a three pack. One bomb will be plenty! |
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Veteran
Posts: 229
| Oops, forgot. To use the bomb, you put the little can in the plastic holder. The reaction of the contents of the little can with the water is exothermic (heat generating) if I remember correctly. If you are going to set the bomb on your LQ floor it would probably be a good idea to set it on a glass saucer or little plate. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: MS | Thanks everyone for the very helpful answers! I think I am going to try a combination of just about all of them. I went in the trailer today and don't see any fresh webs, so she may have been the only one. I didn't see any egg sacks, but of course who can see all the crannies! Using all the hints I should have a spider free zone again.
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 Regular
Posts: 71
Location: Edmond OK | That would FREAK me out! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522
Location: Tucumcari NM | Just chill!!! She'll only take a little bite!
Marla |
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Expert
Posts: 2615
| And then,it'll be an admission to the hospital afterwards when she does. Brown recluses do some nasty things to a localized area,but,black widows are poisonious. systemic reactions are common from a bite. |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas | It would be bad! For me as well, who has to carry a pair of Epi-pens everywhere for all things with venom etc. Anaphlactic shock in it's finest form! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | hubby bit by a black widow. Three days in cardiac intensive care.
Found one in the RV. Set off one of the Fumigator bombs. They are the smoke type, mentioned above. Not a "spray". The smoke works in to all the areas better than the spray bombs. Turn off all propane, and pilots, open all doors and cabinets inside. I pulled mattress out away from wall a bit too. |
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Expert
Posts: 2615
| Who makes those? The only ones I've ever used are 3 in a pack,by Raid,I think.I've never seen any of the others that you set in water. |
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Veteran
Posts: 123
Location: Indiana | http://www.brownreclusespider.org/brown-recluse-spider-bite-symptom.htm http://www.brownreclusespider.org/black-widow-spider/black-widow-spider-bite-symptom.htm Just some helpful links. I was surprised that the recluse bites look worse, but the black widow is more deadly. |
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Expert
Posts: 2615
| I saw a black widow in the yard just today.One of my trees has a little hollow near the ground,and,I happened to be close enough to see her on her web tucked back in the hollow.when I got close,she went back in to hide,but,it didn't do her any good. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | These are the Fumigator "bombs" I use. They come in a little cup, you add water, drop it back in cup, and it smokes them out, not just a spray into the air
http://www.killsbugsdead.com/fop_fum.asp
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: MS | Thank you so much! Getting some of that tomorrow... |
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Black Widow!
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