What is a black widow spider?
Black widow spiders (Latrodectus mactans and Latrodectus hesperus) are found throughout the United States, Mexico, and southern Canada. A female black widow is much more likely to deliver more venom than a male spider. Female black widows are long-legged, shiny, coal-black spiders with an orange, red, or yellow shape on their underside that usually looks like an hourglass but may be another shape. Female black widows are usually about 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) long, but may be smaller. Black widow spiders are frequently found in low-lying webs in garages, barbecue grills, around swimming pools, and in wood piles. Most bites occur in rural and suburban areas and occur between the months of April and October. These spiders tend to bite defensively when their webs are disturbed. Bites to babies and children may be more serious than bites to adults.
