Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Tea and Conversation
 4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Subject Topic: BLACK WIDOWS! AGH! Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
folklaur
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2816
Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 3:34pm | IP Logged Quote folklaur

I wonder, have I mentioned how much I hate it here?!?!?

I can't really say anything else to dh (he feels badly enough, I can't make it worse), so please, please forgive me for using y'all as my venting place.

But...okay....the roaches here are horrible. Everywhere in the Vegas valley. But now - we are finding Black Widow webs in the backyard. Our bug guy has come and resprayed, but a lot of info I am finding says that widows are particularly hard to kill.

BLECH!

I won't let the kids outside. The widows like the rock ladscaping (we can't change it, as we are renting) and that rings the entire backyard. We have found widow webs in their Playhouse, under the patio furniture.

I am a nervous wreck. I dropped a cap w/o realizing it (yes a bottlecap) and when it hit the counter I about jumped out of my skin - I am just that wound up.

(And wow I have to say these houses were built so poorly. Oh, my goodness. We live in a newer, up-scale-like area (I have never lived somewhere like this before - I feel quite out of my element to be honest). The house is not even 10 years old, it is a gated community, and the quality is HORRIBLE. I would be really upset if I owned one of these houses. I can only imagine all the new construction in Phx was the same. Awful. Sliding doors don't close tightly, gaps, cracks....really, it is shoddy. Of course, the older, better built homes are not in great areas.

Anyway. Just needed to say I really, really hate black widow spiders.
Back to Top View folklaur's Profile Search for other posts by folklaur
 
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Board Moderator
Avatar
Non Nobis

Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 3:54pm | IP Logged Quote Mackfam

Laura,
Black widows are quite prolific here in the deep south. I'm not a fan either!

A few things I've noticed is that because they are shiny black with that distinctive red hourglass they are quite easy to identify and stay away from. Also, I've found that they are most prevalent towards the end of August and mid-September. Knowing that, we spray a citrus (orange) based insecticide around the perimeter of the home vigilantly throughout the late summer months. We fog the garage with the same stuff as well. It is non-toxic to pets and humans, but highly toxic to arachnids and ROACHES which I hate more than I hate spiders!

So, nature lesson topics for your clan might be identification of the black widow spider as well as how to avoid being bitten by one. Hang in there, if spider behavior is true across the board (and I'm not sure if it is since your climate is dry and desert-like, and we're soupy and humid right now) they should be retreating for several months to give you time to prepare your arsenal of weapons! (always wanted to use that emoticon!)

__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
Back to Top View Mackfam's Profile Search for other posts by Mackfam Visit Mackfam's Homepage
 
LisaD
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Dec 27 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 526
Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 7:17pm | IP Logged Quote LisaD

We are black widow central here. We also have huge numbers of brown widows, which are more "shy" but more poisonous. We have the bug man spray outside every other month, and that has cut down the population somewhat, but I found four brown widow egg sacks (they are VERY distinctive) on the back gate yesterday. UGH! My kids are trained to never touch a spider, and come tell me right away if there is a spider on or near a toy outside.

Jennifer, I would love to know the name of the insecticide you use to fog your garage. Our garage is horrible. The webs and spiders are absolutely everywhere. Kids are not allowed in the garage, but that is where my washer and dryer are, so I have to venture into Spider World frequently.

I've also lived where roaches are commonplace and found just about everywhere (Hawaii), and we found the best defense there was our cat. She kept the inside of the house very roach-free.



__________________
~Lisa
Mama to dd(99), ds(01), ds(03) and ds(06)
Back to Top View LisaD's Profile Search for other posts by LisaD Visit LisaD's Homepage
 
guitarnan
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10883
Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 7:34pm | IP Logged Quote guitarnan

Ewww.

I grew up in BW and brown recluse territory, but that doesn't mean I like them.

I agree with Lisa. The best defense against most critters is a cat...wish mine would eat crickets (aaaaahhhhh ugggghhhh) instead of dismembering them...

And it is very important to teach everyone to ID spiders, scorpions and snakes that are harmful. Gross, I know. But, essential.

Another good safety tip is to shake out shoes and clothing before getting dressed. Essential desert behavior.

__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
Back to Top View guitarnan's Profile Search for other posts by guitarnan Visit guitarnan's Homepage
 
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Board Moderator
Avatar
Non Nobis

Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
Posted: Sept 12 2008 at 8:50pm | IP Logged Quote Mackfam

LisaD wrote:

Jennifer, I would love to know the name of the insecticide you use to fog your garage. Our garage is horrible.


Lisa, We use a pest control service that specializes in the use of safe (organically derived) chemicals like citrus based stuff and pyrethrin based stuff. I know that sounds so technical. Anyway, my husband just opened up the garage to air it out and here's what the can of fogger says:

Quote:
CB Foggers

Manufactured by Waterbury Companies
PCO Fogger
CB Total Release

**for use in food and non food areas of the homes, food processing plants, restaurants, industrial buildings, schools, warehouses, garages, etc.**


We actually have never seen a black widow inside (thanks be to God) but lots outside! Identification is easy and a must and my 3yo can do it! We also have brown recluse. Give me the black widow any day of the week. Brown recluse are a whole 'nother game!

We've also found that frequent cleaning of the garage is a must. We purchased those heavy duty steel shelves on casters from Costco and we store everything in the garage on those. Then, we periodically roll them out, and completely empty and sweep out the garage. It does help keep the population low.

We have 2 cats - and I'm sorry to say they haven't gotten the message about roach protection in the job description.

__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
Back to Top View Mackfam's Profile Search for other posts by Mackfam Visit Mackfam's Homepage
 
juststartn
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Jan 17 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1321
Posted: Sept 13 2008 at 1:10pm | IP Logged Quote juststartn

Brown recluses here. Inside, too. I've killed at least two myself. IN MY BEDROOM. We shake the bedding out constantly. And the clothes. And the shoes. Ugh. We're still unpacking, so I've got some boxes here and there (nowhere to put the stuff in them til the VA $$ comes in and we can afford to buy the necessary storage furniture).

DH wants the boxes out of his shop. Well, he brings them over HERE. And leaves them, and I have nowhere to put things, so the boxes sit. I KNOW that the boxes are prime places for the doggone things but I cannot get the boxes out of the house. SIGH.

I vacuum. ALOT.

SIGH

Rachel (who has a lot of sticky traps for the suckers)

__________________
Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
Back to Top View juststartn's Profile Search for other posts by juststartn
 
Bookswithtea
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 07 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2621
Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 8:18am | IP Logged Quote Bookswithtea

Laura, when we lived in So. CA it was just standard to have them around. Vegas is the same. The kids learn quickly enough to stay away from them. Show the kids what to watch for and tell the younger ones to just stay away from all spiders. Maybe do a unit study on spiders? I know, it stinks, but Vegas is gorgeous in the Spring. The mountain views are fantabulous. Right now is just the worst time of the year. Hang on...it'll get better.

{{{Laura}}}


__________________
Blessings,

~Books

mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
Back to Top View Bookswithtea's Profile Search for other posts by Bookswithtea
 
monique
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: Sept 11 2007
Location: Wyoming
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 345
Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 8:53am | IP Logged Quote monique

Sunday morning on the way to church we found a huge black widow in our garage! Thank goodness my husband found it. It had a huge web going all the way up the wall in the corner by the garage door. Thank goodness none of the children got too close. We walk right by there to go around the vehicle to get into it. It scares me to death how close we all had probably been to it. I'm so thankful the baby never got near it. We had a scare about this time last year also. My husband was cleaning up the wood pile and we think he brought one in on his pants because we found it crawling on the floor of our family room....headed towards my daughter who was laying on the floor! She is scared to death of spiders now. I have to admit I had a few bad dreams that night!

So we have a new rule. No one goes out into the garage by themselves! And we have to make sure we shut the door to the garage.

__________________
Monique
mom to 5
Raising Saints
Back to Top View monique's Profile Search for other posts by monique
 
Vanna
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: May 09 2008
Location: Kansas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 331
Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 9:09am | IP Logged Quote Vanna

Shudder.

I feel for you. We deal with brown recluses here.

I have no idea what kind of spider this was but..and I promise I am not exaggerating..just the other day I saw something scamper across the room out of the corner of my eye. I was like, Oh no! A mouse...but it wasn't, it was a spider, almost the size of my hand.

Oh. no. I must of hit that thing a million times before it stopped kicking. Ugh!!





__________________
Wife to K Mommy to B (ds18) and G (ds8)
Back to Top View Vanna's Profile Search for other posts by Vanna
 
juststartn
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Jan 17 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1321
Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 2:26pm | IP Logged Quote juststartn

Vanna, maybe a wolf spider?

We've got those here in OK, and I know they have them in KS, too.

Rachel

__________________
Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
Back to Top View juststartn's Profile Search for other posts by juststartn
 
marihalojen
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 12 2006
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1883
Posted: Sept 18 2008 at 2:51pm | IP Logged Quote marihalojen

You'd be better off identifying a Wolf Spider before you try to step on it or whack it. My mother was out in the pig barns one day and stepped on a huge spider. It happened to be a mother and all those itty bitty babies on her back ran out from under her foot. She had knee high barn boots on but still managed to jump clear over a gate and get outside in record time. Nearly gave her a heart attack. Besides, Wolf Spiders are basically harmless.

Now Black Widows we used to keep in mason jars in Grandma's kitchen (my Dad's mom), isn't that odd? They didn't bother me because they're relatively sedate, easy to catch and love to eat other bugs we kids could easily catch. If you drag a pencil through their web it sounds just like a piece of paper ripping. I remember the bug man showing us that trick.    


__________________
~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
Back to Top View marihalojen's Profile Search for other posts by marihalojen Visit marihalojen's Homepage
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com