They are baby Black Widows!!!

Oh my gosh! My theory about the black widows in the dauber's nest was right. The BW is the dauber's favorite food! They do paralize them and store them in the nest for the babies to eat. Just thinking about all those baby BW's falling all around me when I knock the nests down makes my hair stand on end.

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=743

What now????? We've knocked down dozens of spiders in these nests. BTW - in case you have them, too - babies are not black. They are yellow with yellow and brown striped legs. They have a very faint mark on their back but you would never suspect they are BW's.

POSITIVE: We apparently have lots of BW's and the daubers are doing a good job of eating the babies, thus reducing the number of future BW's.

NEGATIVE: These dauber nests are usually on our front or back porch where we spend time. Occasionally, a spider is dropped and doesn't make it into the nest. Their legs are paralized, but they are not dead. I can't help but be concerned about one being in a cushion, a plant, a dog bowl, a shoe, etc. and we get bitten by it. The one dropped on the front porch was an adult.

I can't believe I'm even considering leaving them there, but the thought of all those dozens of babies growing into adults just creeps me out. What would you guys do????

Debra

OMG, I knock those things down all the time. Now I know why some people hire others to do that job. LOL
I have always been afraid to leave shoes on the doorstep for fear of getting spiders in them but I hadn't really thought about what kind of spiders.

Here's a picture of an immature black widow spider.

http://kaweahoaks.com/html/latrodectus_hesoerus.html

I leave the mud daubers' nests up. They take cut worms by the kazillions to fortify the nests. They are not at all aggressive and will only sting if they feel threatened - like if you swat at them. They won't even defend the nest like red wasps and yellow jackets do. If they're taking out black widows, I would definitely leave them alone. Think of all those baby spiders growing up into adult spiders, mating and making even more BW baby spiders... I think I'd put up a welcome sign for them!
CJ

This message was edited Jun 25, 2006 10:43 PM

Oh, thanks, Fleur. Now I'm going to have nightmares.

I hate spiders. Arachnophobia gave me bad dreams. And this house I just bought was apparently last rented out to the little eight-legged freaks. I'm always afraid that a poisonous spider will get into the house. My cats will think he's a new cat toy and play with him, and then get bitten.

I'm trying to come to terms with the spiders that live out in my yard because I know spiders can be beneficial bugs, but I still HATE them!

CJ, why do they always want to build those mud nests in such conspicuous places like right over the doors? I do not keep the outside lights on so it must be something else.

As far as I am concerned they can daub away as long as it is far away from where I walk every day. a

ardesia,

I know just what you mean. I wouldn't have a problem at all with the daubers and their nests stuffed with BW's if they weren't right over our doors and around the back porch. They do tend to drop them from time to time. Just gives me the shivers.

Can't decide what creeps me the most - thinking of them over our doors, or thinking of them multiplying like CJ mentioned.

Debra