Inspect
Check garages, sheds, woodpiles, and meter boxes for webs and spiders.
Pest Education • DFW Pest Control
Black Widow Control in DFW
Black widows hide in dark, sheltered spots around homes and yards. Learn to identify them, where they live, and how to reduce them safely.
Family-OwnedVeteran-OwnedSince 2016
Reviewed and updated June 2026
At a Glance
Black widows are venomous spiders that build tangled webs in dark, undisturbed spaces. Reducing clutter and harborage is the foundation of control.
Quick Facts
- Look: Glossy black with a red hourglass underneath
- Web: Irregular, tangled webs low to the ground
- Hides: Garages, sheds, woodpiles, meter boxes
- Concern: Venomous bite; seek care if bitten
What Are Black Widows?
The black widow is a venomous spider found throughout Texas. Mature females are glossy black with a distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen; males are smaller and not considered dangerous.
They build irregular, tangled webs in dark, sheltered, low spots and are not aggressive, usually biting only when trapped against skin.
Where They Hide and Bite Risk
Black widows favor quiet, protected places that are rarely disturbed, which is where accidental contact happens.
- Garages, sheds, crawl spaces, and storage areas.
- Woodpiles, rock piles, and debris.
- Water-meter boxes, utility boxes, and outdoor furniture undersides.
- Bites can cause pain, cramping, and other symptoms; seek medical care if bitten, especially for children or the elderly.
How to Reduce Black Widows
Control focuses on removing harborage and webs and reducing the insects spiders feed on, paired with careful treatment of sheltered areas.
- Declutter garages, sheds, and storage; store items in sealed bins.
- Move woodpiles and debris away from the house and wear gloves when handling them.
- Knock down webs and seal gaps into garages and crawl spaces.
- Reduce outdoor lighting that draws prey insects, and treat harborage zones carefully.
Reduce Harborage
Declutter, remove webs, and seal sheltered entry points.
Explore services →Treat & Monitor
Target sheltered areas and reduce prey insects to keep numbers down.
Request an estimate →Treatments are selected and applied per their labels. Tell us about children, pets, edible gardens, beehives, and other sensitive areas before service, and follow all preparation and re-entry instructions. More on pet- and pollinator-conscious treatment →
Common Questions
How dangerous is a black widow bite?
Black widow venom can cause significant pain, muscle cramping, and other symptoms. Bites are rarely fatal with modern care, but you should seek medical attention promptly, especially for children, older adults, or anyone with severe symptoms.
Where am I most likely to find one?
In dark, undisturbed places: garages, sheds, crawl spaces, woodpiles, debris, and inside water-meter and utility boxes.
How do I keep black widows away?
Reduce clutter and harborage, wear gloves around woodpiles and storage, seal gaps, knock down webs, and reduce the prey insects they feed on.
Sources & Further Reading
Guidance changes over time. Follow current product labels and local recommendations. This page is educational and is not medical advice.
Worried About Black Widows?
Call or email for a free estimate. We’ll recommend an approach that fits your property.