Getting rid of black widow spiders?

Contact either an exterminator or your county extension office.

Sorry, not much help. My expertise is how to rid myself of rattlesnakes (use a shotgun). LOL! Black Widows are scary to me, but I've always just squished the few that I have found (since they don't go leaping at you). Don't go watching Arachniphobia or 8-legged freaks any time soon. LOL!

For big infestations, the advice online that I've seen recommend the kind of spray you're already using for black widows. If you're infested with any other kind of spider, though, ALWAYS check before you spray, because some, like the hobo spider here in the NW, are immune to poison and makes it worse (kills other spiders, no competition, hobo population booms).

I've also seen glue traps recommended--cardboard with industrial strength sticky stuff on it. The spiders walk in, get stuck, you throw it away. Non toxic and virtually no labor.

It only works when the spider's wander, though, and black widow females don't move from their web, so this is good with the males and with females before they nest. A good preventative during and after you clear up the infestation.

You can also vacuum the spiders, their nests, and their egg sacks. Then safely dispose of the bag--can you burn where you are? If not, seal in another bag and throw away. I'd use a shop vac and an extension cord in the garden if you have one--they've got powerful suction and long wand attachment to keep your distance.

Whatever you do, wear gloves when you do it! Sorry you're infested, how nervewracking, I'd be having nervous fits. I've only seen a black widow once, we were living in SW Missouri. The threat there was more the brown recluses which were everyfrickinwhere.

One of my doctors said her husband wore their baby tucked into a backpack when he had to mow the lawn. Seriously. Do you have a wrap or sling or baby backpack to put the kiddo in to keep her up and away from the spiders? A play yard set up outside with you while you work? She's probably too big for those jumparoos or exersaucers by now, isn't she? I never had one of those, they annoyed me, but I also never had to keep a baby safe out of doors, either. You can generally get the slings, baby backpacks, excersaucers, etc. on the cheap at resale hand baby stores, like Other Mothers.

Good luck!

____________________

Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace.

-- Albert Schweitzer

Spiders aside, my mom and my mom-in-law would put us kids out in the yard on a blanket so that we could play somewhere but also explore if we wanted to. I did the same with my daughter. Kids are fun in the garden. They can learn about (and learn to respect!) quite young the wonders of the growing world.