Black Widow deterrent

[KTurner]

This is the second time I've opened the well house lid to find a black widow. The well house is cinder block, about 3'x3'x3', with most of it below ground level and a wood/metal lid that stays in place unless its being worked on. This time, the black widow ran right under the pressure switch, which is exactly what I wanted to look at (the well is cutting off). The other time it was underneath the lid.

Any recommendations for a product/home remedy for keeping these things out of small areas such as this well house? I haven't noticed them anywhere else (but I *really* doubt there's only one or two around).

Keith

 

[texasjohn]

You described exactly the kind of place (dark, undisturbed typically) where black widows love to be.

In my experience, if you are somewhat watchful when going into such places, you can easily see them and avoid/kill them. I've never seen one be aggressive and try to come after a person.

Net... they are are a part of country living... I learned a long time ago to look carefully before just sticking my hand under and into a black hole. I doubt that there is anything that would be effective and acceptable as a deterrent.

 

[Pilot]

If you want to spray a spider you see, regular insect spray doesn't work well on spiders. However, wasp & hornet spray does work and works well.

 

[EE_Bota]

This is the second time I've opened the well house lid to find a black widow. The well house is cinder block, about 3'x3'x3', with most of it below ground level and a wood/metal lid that stays in place unless its being worked on. This time, the black widow ran right under the pressure switch, which is exactly what I wanted to look at (the well is cutting off). The other time it was underneath the lid.

Any recommendations for a product/home remedy for keeping these things out of small areas such as this well house? I haven't noticed them anywhere else (but I *really* doubt there's only one or two around).

Keith

May I ask what state you are in? You just described my well house. A friend from Kentucky called it a Kentucky well house, although I am in NC. He says it will not freeze, and for 20 years now, it has not.

As for the spiders...I found them in my firewood this winter. I found one the other day hiding behind the wheel of a 4 wheeler. When I was a kid, I could find one anytime I chose to...meaning if someone wanted to see one, I could scare one up for them in less than 10 minutes.

I always wear leather gloves when I reach into unknown and untrusted places.

Assuming black widows are merely spiders after all*, some of these things could work for you:

How to Repel Spiders | eHow.com

Edit: The comment marked with * sounds like I am being a smarty, so I popped back on to say I am not sure that they are not special in some ways, and I am only assuming they are merely "a spider" and that things which deter most will deter black widows.

 

[KTurner]

I get that they are around and I'll have to exercise caution. I'm concerned about the well house specifically as it's relatively undisturbed place I'll be putting my hands in several times a year. I can't really get a good look at the underside of the equipment that's in there. In this case, if the spider had been under the pressure switch (where it ran to) instead of in the middle of it's web, I never would have seen it and would have attempted removing the pressure switch. That spooked me a little bit.

This is in Southeast Virginia. Between the four houses in my immediate family, there are three different style well houses - this one sunk into the ground, one completely underground (I believe it was built into a precast septic tank) and two above ground. Pretty much everyone around here has been put on city water in the last (?) 20-30 years, so the wells are either mothballed or used for watering gardens.

Keith

 

[jdonovan]

The only thing I've found is to spray with a spider approved residual pesticide 3-4x per year.

I'm using a generic form of deamon (Cypermethrin). Seems to be very deadly if you have more than 4 legs, but relatively low toxicity to mammals.

Keeps the bug volume down in the garage and basement too.

 

[EE_Bota]

I get that they are around and I'll have to exercise caution. I'm concerned about the well house specifically as it's relatively undisturbed place I'll be putting my hands in several times a year. I can't really get a good look at the underside of the equipment that's in there. In this case, if the spider had been under the pressure switch (where it ran to) instead of in the middle of it's web, I never would have seen it and would have attempted removing the pressure switch. That spooked me a little bit.

This is in Southeast Virginia. Between the four houses in my immediate family, there are three different style well houses - this one sunk into the ground, one completely underground (I believe it was built into a precast septic tank) and two above ground. Pretty much everyone around here has been put on city water in the last (?) 20-30 years, so the wells are either mothballed or used for watering gardens.

Keith

When I was a kid, I had to seal our pressure switch. Ants would walk up the wires, get into the switch, and invariably get on the contacts. Once the contacts slapped shut to start the pump, the ants get crushed and electricuted. New ants replaced, and before long the contacts would not conduct electricity.

Thinking about it myself, I was wondering what Texas Pete, black ground pepper, etc would do to a spider. I would not use pesticide unless there is no chance of anyone drinking the water, since all casings have a vent, and every time the pump runs, the casing has to take a "breath."

 

[stravis]

I have no idea how to keep them away, but your question got me thinking. I used to run a horse farm that had them absolutely everywhere. I only see them occasionally on my farm now. Of all of them that I've seen, and we're talking thousands here, I've never once seen one that was acting even slightly aggressive. I've had them on my hands and arms probably a hundred times and they just simply crawl off.

Has anyone else seen them aggressive? At first, they bothered be because all I thought of them kinda like a rattlesnake, but now I don't bother with them at all.

 

[om21braz]

It does not deter spiders/wasps/etc., but most aerosol de-greasers (CRC for example) will almost immediately kill any insect. For me, it works better than products marketed for that job.

 

[KTurner]

most aerosol de-greasers (CRC for example) will almost immediately kill any insect. For me, it works better than products marketed for that job.

Does application of said aerosol typically include a lit match?