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Hot opinion: I think you should let spiders live in your house. They are usually harmless and, like bats, can help control pests on your property. And I’m not a fan of killing something just because it might be inconvenient – what can I say, I’m a real vegetarian. Sure, a spider web in the living room might not look so great. preferably outside of Halloween season, but it’s a small price to pay for not having mosquitoes buzzing around my face or cockroaches scurrying around when I turn on the kitchen light. I usually leave these beasts alone unless my partner sees the spider first and begs me to kill it.

All of that is completely irrelevant when we’re talking about venomous spiders, though – I don’t see many venomous pests in my Manhattan apartment, but that’s not the case at my parents’ house in Texas. They (and their mini Aussie mix) find black widows quite frequently. Once there’s a chance of a life-threatening infection, it’s good to know how to get rid of black widows so I can protect myself, my household, and all furry friends.

I reached out to spider and pest experts to learn what I can do to get rid of black widows, where they live, and how to tell if someone has been bitten by one. As spider season rolls around this year, hopefully these tips will give you a little peace of mind (and encourage you to be thankful for the nonvenomous arachnids that live among us).

How to recognize a black widow

When you picture a black widow, a specific image probably comes to mind: a large, shiny, black spider with a red hourglass on its abdomen. However, there are five different species of widow spiders in the United States and Canada alone, and three of them are black widows, all of which have different identifying features.

Rod Crawford, curator of arachnids at the Burke Museum in Seattle, says the three species found in the United States are the southern, northern and western black widows, adding that it is particularly difficult to distinguish the males and juveniles of all species.

“The southern black widow, Latrodectus mactanslives in the southeastern United States west of Texas, south into eastern Mexico, and tapers off about halfway north to Canada,” says Crawford. Females are the easiest to spot: black body, solid red hourglass shape under the abdomen, and a red rump patch above the spinnerets. Males, surprisingly, have hardly any black – they have a busy pattern with other colors. Crawford points out that young females more closely resemble the intricate male pattern.

Latrodectus mactansthe southern black widow.

Latrodectus hesperusthe western black widow.

“The northern black widow, Latrodectus varioluslives in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada,” says Crawford. These females do not have the classic hourglass shape, but have two separate red spots on the abdomen and no spots on the rump. The males and juveniles have even less black on their bodies, with patterns similar to those of the southern black widows.

“The Western Black Widow, Latrodectus hesperuslives in the United States west of Kansas, as well as southwestern Canada and western Mexico,” he explains. This female black widow has a solid red hourglass shape with no red rump patch, and the males and juveniles have a completely different non-black pattern than the other two species.

What is a “false widow”?

Some species of harmless spiders can closely resemble widows. These are called false widows.

“These false widows are very darkly colored, but with a brownish or purple hue, not black like licorice gummy bears,” Crawford says. “They don’t have red spots on the underside, but often have whitish or flesh-colored spots.” Their egg sacs are also different, as they are fluffy and not smooth like those of a true black widow. “Anyone who says they’ve seen a black widow in a place like Seattle, Anchorage or Maine, where they don’t exist, has seen a false widow,” he adds.

Where black widows are common

According to Agina Graham-Tye, owner of Dallas-based pest control company Graham’s Lawn & Pest, black widows are often found in secluded, dark and damp places. You can expect to find them around garage doors, in undisturbed sheds and storage areas, and even around piles of brush and forgotten toys in your yard. Although they can get into your home, you probably won’t find them there.

How to get rid of black widows

There is a way to get rid of black widows without harming them. If you see some of them in your garden or in your garden shed and don’t want to kill them because that’s their habitat, Graham-Tye suggests spraying a mixture of peppermint, thyme and rosemary oils on the areas where the spiders most often hang out. The oily substance will prevent the spiders from building their webs because they can’t attach themselves to the coated surfaces.

“It doesn’t kill the spider, but it’s an excellent repellent and can be used around doors, in garages and sheds,” she adds.

However, if you see a lot of spiders on your property and they could pose a threat to your family, Graham-Tye recommends calling your local pest control company to spray insecticides. She adds, “While many spiders are beneficial creatures and we like that they provide natural pest control, we also want to make sure your home, children and pets are safe.”

How to prevent black widows from entering your home

Black widows like to enter through small cracks, so sealing the area is a necessary first step, according to Graham-Tye.

“Most of us have gaps or cracks around garage doors when they’re closed, and those gaps – usually around the door sensors – are just big enough to allow them access,” she says. “Weather stripping and door seals on all exterior doors are other great non-chemical ways to keep them out.”

Another simple tip is to keep your yard, garage and shed clean. Since black widows and many other insects usually build their nests in abandoned crevices and corners, regular vacuuming or sweeping is a good way to keep the widows away.

How to recognize black widow bites

It’s surprisingly difficult to identify black widow bites based on the markings on the skin alone, and that’s because they don’t actually leave any.

“It will be painful, but finding the perpetrator is the only way to identify the bite 100 percent,” says Sonja L. Swiger, Ph.D., professor and entomologist at Texas A&M University. Crawford adds that the black widow’s fangs are so thin that they never leave visible puncture marks on the skin.

If you have been deliberately bitten by a black widow spider, you can expect mild discomfort at the bite site and seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms that may occur include pain, swelling, muscle cramps or spasms, headaches, nausea, and more.

“Their venom is said to be 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake. But “Because they release far less venom than snakes, their bites pose a serious danger only to very young and very old people – although they are painful for everyone,” explains Swiger.

The good news? You’re unlikely to die from a black widow bite, especially if you seek early treatment. Crawford points out that there hasn’t been a reported death from a black widow bite in the U.S. in the last 50 years.

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