Black Widow Spider
Category: Spiders
Scientific Name: Latrodectus
Identification:
Color: Black with red or orange hourglass shape on back
Size: ¼ inch to 1 ½ inches long
Region: Found throughout the United States
Lifespan: 1-3 years
Important Considerations:
- Female black widow spiders are highly venomous and are considered the most venomous spiders in North America.
- Both male and female black widow spiders are also poisonous if ingested during their first 17 days of life.
- A black widow spider bite can cause nausea, muscle aches, difficulty breathing and even hospitalization or death.
- Pain from a bite can last anywhere from 8 to 12 hours and other symptoms may be present for a few days.
Where to Find Them on Your Property?
Fortunately, black widows typically live outside and do not often find refuge within homes. In your yard, they can be found in places such as wood piles, garbage heaps, hollow stumps, sheds, or garages. If they do venture inside, they often seek crowded, dark places such as crawl spaces or basements.