Black Widow help with indoor/outdoor plants

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ErinRose Albuquerque, NM Aug 13, 2013

Hello all,

I'm bringing my plants from outside to inside and I was hoping to get rid of all the spiders, mainly Black Widows, from my plants before I brought them inside. Normally I like to keep them around because I think they're pretty cool. But I'm moving and I don't want to start bringing them into my home. Is there any solution to getting rid of the spiders without spraying any chemicals onto my plants? Thanks for any insight or help you may provide!

Read more: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1327978/#ixzz2btf7zZGv

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Aug 14, 2013

Black widow spiders tend to hang out in dark, hidden areas. The most common place around here is in stored lumber. Not usually in too wet a location.

I sure would not rule out among plant pots, with or without plants in them!

Around here, black widows have the strongest web that makes a special kind of snapping sound when it breaks.
Now I am not afraid of spiders, so I would have no problem lifting each plant pot and setting it on a table outside and inspecting it for not only black widows, but for any other pest. I would listen for that special kind of POP! that black widow webbing makes, and look for egg cases (about 3/8" -1/2" diameter mass of webbing). The female will be nearby. I would wear gloves to do this.
Keep a fly swatter or something a bit stronger handy!

Depending on what other pests you may find, and what species of plants you might want to keep a spray bottle of insecicidal soap handy, a bottle of rubbing alcohol and some cotton swabs.
A stiff brush to clean the outside of the pot might be useful, too.

While each pot is on the route into the house I would also stop and dunk it for perhaps half an hour in a container of water that is deeper than the pot. This will make sure the plant is thoroughly soaked, and might chase out some pests that do not like being under water.

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