Black Widow Spider Basics

When most of us hear the term black widow, we get a shiver down our spines. The females are known to kill their mates, just like the lead character in the 1987 movie of the same name. They are considered among the most venomous in North America.

Where You Find Black Widow Spiders

Found primarily in temperate climates in the south and west of the United States, black widow spiders love hiding in dark places. There are 22 species of black widows in Arizona, 39 in total. Like many pests, black widows are out at night, spending their days hidden in dark spaces in garages, hollow stumps, holes, trash, brush, and vegetation. You might see them as you’re moving patio furniture or other items around your yard.

How to Spot a Black Widow Spider

As they age, black widow spiders change their spots. Literally. As juveniles they have a gray to black abdomen with white stripes and yellow and orange spots. As they age, the females have an abdomen as big as half an inch in diameter while males have an abdomen as big as a quarter of an inch. The female is black and shiny with a red hourglass shape marking on her abdomen. The male is black or closer to the coloring of juveniles. Males and females are poisonous but because of their bigger size, the females can bite deeper.

Their webs are thick jumbles of the strongest silk, catching flies, grasshoppers, moths, beetles, and even other spiders. If you see a web like this, contact Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination to get rid of this unwanted pest.

Symptoms of a Black Widow Spider Bite

You may feel a pinprick or see minor swelling and a round lesion when bitten by a black widow spider. As with most spider bites, you may also see two bite marks around the lesion.

If you feel any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately: