The Equal Opportunity Infester

PHOENIX - Sept. 23, 2015 - PRLog -- (PHOENIX, AZ – Sept. 22, 2015) – Arizona’s dry, hot climate provides optimal conditions for black widows, making Phoenix one of the most common places in the U.S. for the eight-legged pest to reside. Recent heavy rainfall paired with the black widow’s desire to nest in damp, dark places, has heightened infestation concerns for Phoenicians.

“Phoenix has a lot of black widows,” says Nate Woolf, cofounder of Gilbert-based Blue Sky Pest Control. “The population is extremely high in the greater Phoenix area compared to other U.S. cities.”

Woolf and cofounder Curtis Whalen have noticed residents’ concerns and are actively helping homeowners keep black widows out by means of both education and home preventative treatments.

“We help homeowners recognize what they need to do,” Woolf says.

Woolf suggests starting with the perimeter by trimming bushes six inches back from homes and reducing clutter in the yard that is attractive harborage for black widows. Also, tidying up garages and getting as many things off the ground on shelves can help.

Black widow spiders are particularly common around homes and in seldom-used areas such as sheds, garages, closets or basements.

“They like to hide under patio furniture and are commonly found in garages,” Woolf says. “Black widows are notorious for building their webs in low-to-the-ground places near a building’s foundation, in small corners, or at the base of walls. Homeowners must be mindful of old wood piles, tool bins yard debris, toys and certain types of landscaping because they become inviting homes for pests.”

“Black widow webs are symmetrical,” adds Whalen. “Generally, we find them low to the ground. Black widows will often spend the day out of sight in dark, undisturbed areas such as under the lip of the stucco or in a void or crevice.”

Black widows are shiny and solid black in color, with a distinguishable hour-glass shaped red spot on their underbelly. Their venom can cause symptoms such as increased body temperature and blood pressure, profuse sweating, muscle pain, nausea and cramping in adults. Although bites are rarely fatal, the neurotoxins in the venom can result in more a more dangerous outcome for children and elderly.  Along with preventative treatment, Blue Sky recommends keeping a watchful eye to avoid accidentally stepping or sitting on these spiders. While black widows are typically shy, they will bite if they feel threatened. Something as simple as a child playing with its toy that’s been sitting in the undisturbed garage corner or sitting on a porch chair after a monsoon can lead to a bite.

According to Woolf, a single black widow can produce several egg sacs in the summer months – each containing around 400 spiderlings - in one summer’s time, making regular, preventative treatment extremely important.

“Again, the more clean and uncluttered your yard and garage are, along with regular treatment in areas that black widows frequent will help in reducing the number of these pests around your home,” adds Woolf.

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Since 2003, Blue Sky Pest Control has been providing superior residential and commercial exterminating services throughout the Phoenix, AZ metro area. Locally owned and family operated, the fast-growing company has garnered an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been an Angie’s List Super Service Award Winner for the past five years running.  For more information, please call (602) 258-3759 or (480) 635-8492, or visit https://blueskypest.com/.  Better Technicians. Better Service. Blue Sky Pest Control.