With so many different types of insects, it can be hard to know which ones are harmless and which ones are dangerous. The black widow spider is on the dangerous list. It’s bite can be quite painful, and even deadly to younger children or the elderly. Symptoms can include: local pain from the bite, severe muscle cramps, abdominal pain, weakness, and tremors. Worse cases can cause, nausea and vomiting, fainting and dizziness, chest pain, and respiratory difficulties. Someone bitten by a black widow spider should seek medical treatment.
Since black widows tend to like dark, secluded areas, many people may not know what they look like. The below video taken at a customers house in Auburn, CA shows you what a black widow spider looks like up close. There are a few characteristics that you want to look out for.
- The first is the shiny, black body. Black widows have a shiny body with a big abdomen.
- The strong, sticky web. Compared to many spider webs, the black widow produces are very strong web.
- The red hour glass marking on their underside.
We didn’t have a chance to show the web in the video, but you should be able to get a good view of the body and the red marking. You can also find more information here on black widows.