Spider question

[tambree]

So, I have a question in regards to how to get rid of black widows, brown widows, and brown recluse. I have a couple of piles of rocks that I have collected over the years and use to border my gardens with. Well upon moving one of the piles, we discovered many black/brown widows and a couple of brown recluse living amongst the rock. I knew there

Comments

[fluffydragon]

I would not advocate keeping them if there's any chance of the dog being bitten, or neighbors for that matter. Spiders can be good at getting mosquitoes, etc, but brown recluses can be deadly. Black widows, actually less so, but still they're both venomous. I say grab a bigger rock and drop it on them. Use gloves to move other rocks they're hiding under.

[angelchrome]

That's true of many spiders, but widow spiders can kill pets/children/someone in poor health and someone I knew at my last job lost most of their foot to a recluse. I hate to kill spiders but I won't hesitate to kill either type.

[tambree]

I agree that they have their benifets but the problem is I am using the rock now and I have no choice but to move them where I need them to be so I must get rid of the spiders.

[boilermish]

was going to say find out what their natural predators are and encourage them, but my google turned up wasps which aren't any better than your spider problem ;)

Do you have any neighbors who garden? I'd find out what they did to get rid of them. For now I'd be sure I wear long sleeves/pants and gloves when working in that area!

[tambree]

Gloves are always a must when I'm working out in the yard! LOL!!! And no, I'm really the only one in my neighborhood that truly gardens. Sad but true.

[jacquez]

I think your choice is basically "spider traps"; that's what people I know have used around here. :/

Googling around indicates that some folks have successfully used the Bayer garden products (some of which are safe for animals -- be careful of anything with pyrethins if you don't want to poison neighborhood kitties), and Get Rid of Things suggests (among other stuff) a vacuum cleaner: http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-black-widows.htm

Now I kind of want to go vacuum my woodpile in case of black widows!

[chevyanna]

I use a blow torch...very effective (fire safety blah blah blah). Thanks for reminding me that I have a few to kill. You can always tell when the widows are around from their web.

[tambree]

Haha, my girlfriend wanted me to do that!!!

[angelchrome]

Honestly I just step on them - but then again I only have a few.

You might be able to dust the whole area with diatomaceous earth, which will kill them but not poison the area. That way you don't have to get too close.

[fallenfaun]

I agree, just use food grade de if you have a dog so if they ingest some it doesn't hurt them.

We've used boiling water in the past too, with varied success.

[tambree]

I've heard of diatomaceous earth but need to do research on it as I don't know much about this product. Yea homework! Thank you. :)

[angelchrome]

Lowes in Huntersville carries the petsafe type, so I'm sure other Charlotte area Lowes will carry it. It would probably be with the insect control stuff.