Black Widow Spider FAQ

In summer, one of the pests that many homeowners struggle with are black widow spiders. Knowing how to identify a black widow spider, where to find them, and how to get rid of them can help homeowners protect themselves and their families from this venomous pest.

What Do Black Widow Spiders Look Like?

Mature female black widow spiders are about an inch and a half long and have black, shiny bodies. They also have a red hourglass shape on the underside of their abdomen. This distinctive, colorful marking makes it easy to identify a female black widow. Mature males are half the size of females, and have small red, yellow or pink markings on their back.

Do All Black Widow Spiders Bite People?

Female black widow spiders are among the most venomous spiders in North America, but male black widow spiders are generally considered to be harmless to humans. Juvenile black widows are also considered harmless.

What Are the Symptoms of a Female Black Widow Spider Bite?

A person who is bitten by a female black widow spider can experience a variety of symptoms including chills, fever, sweating, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, back ache, belly ache, muscle cramps, and spasms. These symptoms can increase in severity as the hours go on.

A person who has been bitten by a black widow spider must seek medical attention right away. Ice applied to the area can help control pain and swelling. Children and seniors often experience the symptoms of a black widow spider bite more severely than adults.

Where Do Black Widows Live?

Black widows typically choose quiet, dark places to build a web or lay their eggs. Typical places where you can find a black widow spider includes the shed, garage, in the crawl space or basement, in a wood pile, or around the barbecue pit. Black widows like to avoid human activity whenever possible, so when they can be found in residential settings, it’s usually in a dark corner where people rarely go. Typically, black widows are found outside the home instead of inside.

Are Black Widows Aggressive?

Female black widow spiders can be aggressive when they’re defending their eggs. If there are no eggs for the black widow to defend, she is much more likely to run than to stay and bite a person.

Are Black Widows a Threat to Pets?

Black widow spiders can be as much a threat to pets as they are to people. Pets who are bitten by a black widow spider may display a number of characteristics including cramping, paralysis, drooling, vomiting, tremors, disorientation, and uncoordinated walking.

Black widow bites can kill pets if the wound does not receive proper medical attention, so pet owners must be aware of the symptoms of a black widow spider bite so they can get their pet medical treatment in a timely fashion.

When Are Black Widows Most Active?

These spiders are most active in the summer time when they’re mating and defending their eggs. During the colder times of the year, black widows are often not seen in winter, when they enter a state similar to hibernation.

How Can you Protect Your Property from Black Widows?

Black widows can be exterminated just like other spiders through regular pest control treatments from a reliable pest control company. Many homeowners who have black widows on their property will sign up for quarterly or monthly treatments to help them control black widow populations.

If you have more questions about black widows and how you can control black widows on your property, contact Craig & Sons Termite and Pest Control Inc . We’re happy to answer questions about black widows.