| Appearance |
 Glossy
black, often with
red "hourglass" on back. May also be dark or light brown. 3/4-inch
length, 3/8-inch
diameter. |
| Habitat |
|
Contrary to legend, female black
widow spiders rarely
devour males after mating. They are found in all 50 states, often
living around
wood piles and gaining entry to a structure when firewood is carried
in. They
spin their webs near ground level in protected areas, such as in
cluttered
garages, outhouses and stacks of firewood. These webs are almost always constructed in a protected site such as among items piled together, beneath boards, in firewood, and between boxes. The black widow is widely
feared
because its bite results in severe pain that may take several days to
subside.
Such bites are rarely fatal, but because small children and elderly
persons are
at risk, spider control is important
if you suspect black widows.
|
| Diet |
| Black widows eat any insect they can capture. They paralyze or kill their
prey with venom, then inject a fluid that enables them to suck out the digestive
liquid food. They can survive without food
for
several weeks to a few months. |
| Control |
|
Bites can be avoided by wearing heavy
gloves when
moving items stored for long periods outside or in garages, basements
or
warehouses. Shoes should be stored inside shoeboxes or shaken
vigorously prior
to wearing. Inspect carefully before putting
your hand
down under an object such as a log or rock. Professionals can remove spider infestations with a
shop vacuum and
apply spider control materials that help prevent their
return. |
|
