Arachnid, Arachn'dont!!

[CindyinSD]

We have them here, and yes it gets friggin’ frigid here. We didn’t have them in central FL when I lived there for 30 years. Actually, I’ve never seen them at our place (which is up in the mountains)—maybe more to do with elevation (~1 mile^) than with severity of winters. We don’t have rattlesnakes up here either. Just speculation there.

Seriously, talk to your agricultural extension agent and engage an extermination expert. Try to avoid hiring a “bubba.” You’re not gonna flee north and if you did and it helped, that would be more good luck than science. As with other nuisance animals, releasing (seriously???) BW spiders over your fence is a bad idea. Ask your neighbors how bad.

 

[quackiemama]

my judgement would tell me to set the property on fire and all the buildings

100% agree!!!

 

[Eggscaping]

Alright. All these suggestions are ok, but...here is your definitive plan: Buy praying mantises and release them inside the building. Tell them firmly when you do that their prime target is spiders. Tell your ducks not to hurt things that look like big, green stick bugs. Then, when the spiders are all gone, pet the mantises gently on the back (very gently!) tell them "That'll do, bug. That'll do!" and put them out in your garden to continue eating pests.
You're welcome!

 

[GoatDragonFarms]

Praying Mantis is a good idea, but you'll need to put them on a leash or they'll just escape.

Might I suggest the ever so helpful (and HORRIFYING looking) house centipede?

No? Well, then, really you only have one option. Get your ducks to safety and hit it with a flamethrower. Three times. Just to be safe.

 

[GoatDragonFarms]

Also, my condolences on the imminent loss of your farm

 

[Peepsi]

I personally like the Flamethrower idea. It's harsh, but it's effective. Once the buildings are burned to the floor, the spiders will be gone too.

Or...if you have to be sensible....get a spider vacuum.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004OHAK5K/?tag=backy-20

They've got a ton of these sorts of things on the market and they are very reasonably-priced (cheaper than a flamethrower). The idea is that the machine sucks the offending alien arachnid, so you don't have to touch it or more importantly, you don't have to get your hands NEAR it. *shudder*

 

[Eggscaping]

I personally like the Flamethrower idea. It's harsh, but it's effective. Once the buildings are burned to the floor, the spiders will be gone too.

Or...if you have to be sensible....get a spider vacuum.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004OHAK5K/?tag=backy-20

They've got a ton of these sorts of things on the market and they are very reasonably-priced (cheaper than a flamethrower). The idea is that the machine sucks the offending alien arachnid, so you don't have to touch it or more importantly, you don't have to get your hands NEAR it. *shudder*

OMG A BUG VACUUM! How cool is that? Almost as good as the electric tennis-racket thing that zaps flying insects out of the air! That thing will take an angry yellow jacket right down. Thank you for that! *goes off to Amazon to buy one*

 

[Miss Lydia]

And you get it by Friday which means your ducks only have to go with food and water the rest of today Thursday an part of Friday if your afraid one might jump on you if you go into their pen

 

[Eggscaping]

And you get it by Friday which means your ducks only have to go with food and water the rest of today Thursday an part of Friday if your afraid one might jump on you if you go into their pen

Actually, though - black widows don't really jump. For that, you want a tarantula. Or this guy, who can REALLY jump around!

 

[ShannonR]

To the OP:

This is serious business. Please don't get near these spiders in an attempt to not harm them!!

I was bitten once by a black widow, my flesh turned black and sort of rotted out where the bite wound was, it was EXTREMELY painful and unpleasant. I tried to step on it and smash it, in flip flops.... the spider was quicker than I was. 12 years later I still have a scar on my foot from it. I would weigh your desire to not kill these things very carefully against using some bug spray or more lethal, less hands-on options. You can always remove your ducks temporarily, but please stay away from the spiders. The above flame thrower suggestion was a good one, IMO.....lol