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Black Widow Spiders
Color: Black, with characteristic red "hourglass" on back
Legs: 8
Shape: Round
Size: 3/4" length and 3/8" in diameter
Antennae: No
Flight: No
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Black widow spiders are most recognized for the red hourglass shape on the back. Contrary to legend, female black widow spiders rarely devour the male black widow spider after mating.
Habits
Black widow spiders spin their webs near ground level. They often build their webs in protected areas, such as in boxes and in firewood.
Habitat
Black widow spiders are often found around wood piles and gain entry into a structure when firewood is carried into a building. They are also found under eaves, in boxes, and other areas where they are undisturbed.
Threats
The venom of a black widow spider is a neurotoxin and is used as a defense. Black widow spiders do not bite humans instinctively. The black widow spider bite can cause severe pain. Young children and the elderly are especially susceptible to a severe reaction to a black widow spider bite.
Prevention
Avoid black widow spider bites by wearing heavy gloves when moving items that have been stored for a long period of time. Spiders often hide in shoes, so check shoes and shake them out before wearing. When spider webs are visible, use caution before putting your hands or feet in that area.
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Brown Recluse Spiders
Color: Light to dark brown, with characteristic dark brown violin marking on back
Legs: 8
Shape: Round
Size: 5/8"
Antennae: No
Flight: No
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Brown recluse spiders have
a characteristic dark brown violin marking on their
back.
Habits
Brown recluse spiders are nocturnal and eat other
bugs like cockroaches and crickets. Male brown recluse
spiders wander farther than females and will crawl
into shoes or other clothing.
Habitat
Brown recluse spiders often live outdoors in debris
and wood piles. They can be found indoors in storage
areas and dark recesses.
Threats
Like the black widow spider, the brown recluse spider
bites in defense and does not bite humans instinctively.
They will bite humans when the clothing they are
hiding in is worn. The brown recluse spider bite
is painful and can produce an open, ulcerating sore.
Prevention
To avoid brown recluse spiders, avoid keeping clothing
on the floor. Store clothing and shoes inside plastic
containers, and shake out all clothing that has
been in a hamper before wearing or washing.
Thank you to the National Pest Management Association
for the pest identification information.
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