Black Widows in the mailbox

Gary · Apr 22, 2008

This might not be the right place to ask, but I figured there was a lot of critter knowledge to tap on this forum.

The first time I threw a Black Widow spider out of my mailbox, I didn't think too much about it, but recently, I've been finding one or two every week. Today I found a male and female building a web inside. The count is now up to about a dozen, and it's becoming a serious problem.

Any ideas how I can discourage them from moving in?

donroc · Apr 22, 2008

Warn the male?

lakotagirl · Apr 22, 2008

I'll be watching for any good suggestions. We don't have black widows here, but we have nice big hairy wolf spiders that think the mailbox is a great place to live.

I don't ever take mail out of the box without beating the hell out if it before I carry it to the house. Just last night, hubby brought the mail in. (He doesn't bother to check for spiders). He hands it to me and a spider runs up my arm and jumps onto the counter next to my half eaten chocolate bar. I'm jumping and screaming and hubby just laughs. Bastard!

Black widow? Much more dangerous. Hope someone has some good suggestions.

Maryn · Apr 22, 2008

Like all spiders, widows don't like being disturbed. If you visit your mailbox two or three times a day and whack a rolled-up magazine or newspaper around in there, to the box's full depth, they'll move out. (Assuming you haven't smushed them.)

Since they seem to be selecting this inconvenient spot, look for a reason, like clutter nearby where they find shadows, seclusion and prey. Get rid of stacked wood, old boxes, even ground cover that doesn't move in the wind, that's anywhere near the mailbox. If you've got a rock garden or flowerpots near the mailbox, move them often, breaking webs and disturbing hiding places.

Maryn, who's lived where there are many widows

HeronW · Apr 22, 2008

http://www.google.com/search?q=gett...-US&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1
has a big list on getting rid of them

this is poison free:
http://www.greenfeet.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=5507-00614-0000&gclid=CM2HpvjA75ICFQSU1AodtzK13g

Soccer Mom · Apr 22, 2008

I don't know if it works, but since they are supposed to like closed, dark spaces, what about leaving the mailbox door open? That might make it less inviting.

lakotagirl · Apr 22, 2008

Soccer Mom said:
I don't know if it works, but since they are supposed to like closed, dark spaces, what about leaving the mailbox door open? That might make it less inviting.

Ya think it would keep the bills out too? Now I could go for that!

I googled it last year and didn't find anything that worked. Don't want to use poisons.

These suggestion do make you think a little deeper though. The mailbox that I have is sealed pretty tight. I'll bet it makes a nice little home for those 'pideys. And, since we only disturb it once a day (twice if you count the mailman), we might just be inviting the little boogers to stay.

Perhaps I'll crack the door on it open for a few days and see if that helps.

Gary · Apr 22, 2008

Our mailbox is built into a brick surround, so they aren't hanging around a wooden post, and it's a brand new house. The grass is mowed nearby, and the road and driveway are concrete and asphalt. There are no brush piles, or hiding places anywhere nearby, but they certainly seek out the mailbox.

I've killed quite a few that I found around the yard, but since the house is energy efficient, it's difficult for insects and spiders to find openings to get inside.

Thanks for the ideas and links.

reigningcatsndogs · Apr 29, 2008

Vacuum out the box and seal it up. I used to get Black Widows in our last house and I would vacuum them away (to get rid of the spiders, web, any egg sacs or babies..., then get rid of the vacuum bag. Once you know the box is clean, use some caulking or silicone around the seams on the inside to seal any cracks, and then apply a small rubber or foam strip around the lid where it contacts the actual box so the little stinkers can't get in.

Just the thought of reaching in and finding one of those damned spiders gives me icky shivers!

HeronW · Apr 29, 2008

vacuuming reigningcatsndogs and caulking her seams :}

PattiTheWicked · Apr 29, 2008

A stick or two of dynamite should solve this pretty quick.

patti
who is unafraid of big stuff but runs screaming from crawly things

Komnena · May 2, 2008

Spray soap will at least kill the ones you have.

Gary · May 2, 2008

I bought a can of spider spray and treated the mailbox inside and outside. That was about a week ago, and so far, no more spiders.

I've also gone on a spider hunt around the property. I killed 8 yesterday and 4 more today. Two of them were raiding paper wasp larvae. I guess it was a revenge "hit", since I've heard that wasps paralyze spiders and place them inside their nests so the young wasps can dine on fresh spider.

I hate using poisons of any kind, but I hate even worse having that many dangerous spiders hanging around.

Gary · May 2, 2008

Komnena said:
Spray soap will at least kill the ones you have.

What kind of soap? Do you mix it yourself?

Komnena · May 3, 2008

Any kind of spray soap you can buy in the store. It is not a permanent solution, though. Hopefully the new arrivals will be nonpoisonous.

Black Widows in the mailbox

Gary

donroc

Historicals and Horror rule

lakotagirl

Forgot what I was gonna say

Maryn

I Tried

HeronW

Down Under Fan

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist

lakotagirl

Forgot what I was gonna say

Gary

reigningcatsndogs

Too sad for words.

HeronW

Down Under Fan

PattiTheWicked

Unleashing Hell.

Komnena

In Honor of Peter Tomich,USS Utah

Gary

Gary

Komnena

In Honor of Peter Tomich,USS Utah