Black widows are found in the Southern and Western U.S. They will only bite when disturbed. Females are shiny black with the distinctive red hourglass. They are solitary spiders that prefer dark, secluded areas.

Description

Black widow spiders are abundant in the Southern and Western U.S. They are regarded as the most venomous spider in North America, however, only the female bites is considered a threat to human health. Most black widows will only bite when disturbed.

The males and females look different, but the females are the most distinctive. Females are about 1.5 inches long and shiny black with the recognizable red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. Males are half the size of females and lighter in color with red or pink spots on their backs.

Black widows are solitary spiders and prefer dark, secluded areas (crevices, woodpiles), garages, dark corners, basements, closets, and cluttered areas. They spin messy, irregular webs that are usually located near ground level and under a protected ledge such as under lawn furniture or wood piles. They will eat flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars that become trapped in their webs.

What To Do and Helpful Tips

• Remove material, such as firewood piles, where they might hide and eliminate clutter in storage areas, such as basements, attics, and closets.
• Keep plants and grass trimmed near the home and remove clutter around the house's perimeter to discourage spiders from living next to the house.
• Seal openings and install screens and doors sweeps to help prevent spider entry.