Arachnoid in breeding area

[Schifty]

Hi,

I was hoping to see what others do about insects, specifically spiders in their breeding room. We have a infestation of black widows, and we are leery of useing anything to rid them.

With about 60 pythons, moving the collection would be challenging.

Any suggestions?

Schifty

[MojaveLesser]

Hi,

I was hoping to see what others do about insects, specifically spiders in their breeding room. We have a infestation of black widows, and we are leery of useing anything to rid them.

With about 60 pythons, moving the collection would be challenging.

Any suggestions?

Schifty

The best thing I could think of would be a "No Pest strip" besides harmful Chemicals that an exterminator would use. I hope someone else can give you better help. Good Luck

[Jessica Loesch]

YIKES .... I am not jealous!

[MasonC2K]

I use a natural insecticide made from chrysanthemum. Actually, it's the same stuff BIlly the Exterminator uses. You can get it at Walmart. It's safe to all non-insect life. Kills really fast. I'll post exactly the brand when I get home. The only bad thing about it is it's very bold. Smells like potpori on steroids.

[angllady2]

PAM says right on the can it will kill invertebrates, and if you have any to remove them from the treatment area.

Gale

[WingedWolfPsion]

I would try using PAM, and see if it keeps them from nesting in the racks, and use sticky traps, a vacuum cleaner, and a shoe, to remove them from other areas.
Remember to wear thick gloves when going after black widows. They aren't very aggressive or fast, but if you get bitten, you might wish it had been a rattlesnake.

I once used wasp killer on a black widow, and watched it pick itself back up and run off. I wouldn't bother with most chemical controls, because they just plain don't work on spiders, and virtually all are harmful to reptiles (and humans).

A lot of vacuuming will probably work best. Just remember what you have in there when you empty the vacuum.

[Sariel]

Most chemicals wont kill widows because they dont clean themselves like other spiders do. You can spray them with about anything and they will just go about their business.
Used to have to clean out storage rooms -full- of the little buggers daily in northcarolina. We sprayed and sprayed, but in the end the best method was a broom and a shoe.

[dave g]

the stuff billy uses is pyrethrin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethrin

also dont forget to spray the outside of your house to keep them away

good luck, dave