3 big, fat black widows on my house today! (neighborhood, live)

[Grawburg]

So much for our shy friends who were happily sunning themselves 2 feet off the ground around the outside of the house for everyone to see! Watch where your kids play!

[wheelsup]

Found one the other day in my garage. I hate spiders. I've heard the brown recluse is worse though.

[raleighkc]

I was bit by a black widow on my hand about 8 years ago. I remember that about a minute later, all I could see was red and my hand felt like someone was stabbing it over and over again. I called poison control and they advised me to go to the ER. They said that while I was a young, healthy adult and wouldn't die from the bite, the pain would continue to get worse over the next few hours and would be pretty unbearable. I got some strong meds and had to stay out of work for 3 days until the swelling in my hand went down - had to keep my hand elevated because it hurt too much otherwise! Didn't even end up with any superpowers.

[StanFischlerHockE]

I use spider traps (sticky sheets found at ace) around the garage corners and near the entrance of the doors. I have seen about a 95% decline in the home. As for outside I see a bunch of jumping spiders. I wonder if you kill the spiders food source if they would eventually leave. I see advertisements for chemicals that kill bugs in your lawn.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Where I live (Nor Cal, Bay Area hinterlands) I have hundreds in and around my house at any given time. Roll over a rock and there's a good chance one will go running. Got to really watch it cleaning the garage. Crawlspace? best to hit it with a fogger a couple days before ... yeah, I know, not very "green" - oh well.

[Grawburg]

Who cares about green if you're dean from multiple black widow bites!

[JimnSue]

we also just last week found a black widow on my 5 year olds slide in the middle of the day ......so so much for them hiding in the dark.......I'm assuming it crawled out from the under spot.....

I've gotten mixed reviews......and do understand alls opinions but we had our yard sprayed......it where the woods are outside of our fenced area.....and where my kids play.....cant take any chances......I worry if we didnt try to prevent them, should the little guy happen to get bit.....would he be able to tell me .......ya know.....thats the scary thing...

Not uncommon here in my neighborhood so we are just cautious and the kids know what to look for and not to reach into dark spots.....

[NCgirl]

If a black widow spider bites a person, do not panic! No one in the United States has died from a black widow spider bite in over 10 years. Very often the black widow will not inject any venom into the bite and no serious symptoms develop. Wash the wound well with soap and water to help prevent infection.

If muscle cramps develop, take the patient to the nearest hospital. Some victims, especially young children, may be admitted overnight for observation and treatment.
There is treatment for a black widow spider bite that can take care of the symptoms. Various medications are used to treat the muscle cramps, spasms and pain of a bite. Black widow spider antivenin is seldom necessary.

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