Black Widow Spiders

What do black widow spiders look like?

Male and female black widow spiders look quite different, so knowing how to spot both is helpful.

• Females
  Shiny and jet black, females have a distinct red hourglass marking on their undersides. They’re about 0.6 to 0.75 inches long with a round, bulbous body.

• Males
  Males are smaller—often half the size of females. They’re brown or gray and lack the red hourglass but may have red or white markings.

Both females and males are hairless and are noticeably shiny spiders with distinct markings.

What do black widow spiders eat?

Black widows eat whatever gets caught in their webs, including flies, crickets, beetles, and mosquitoes. They can also capture larger prey by paralyzing them with venom.

Black widows typically appear inside homes when there’s a steady food source, such as cockroaches. Keeping pests under control helps keep these spiders out.

Are black widow spiders dangerous?

Black widow bites can send you to the hospital, but fatal bites are extremely rare. The last reported death from a black widow bite in the U.S. was in 1983, thanks to modern medicine.

Here’s what else to know:

• Male black widows rarely bite.
• Females can deliver “dry bites” without venom, which may cause only mild pain.
• Females don’t intentionally kill their mates—when it happens, it’s a case of mistaken identity during feeding.

Where do black widow spiders live?

Black widows prefer dry, dark, and quiet spaces. They build webs in undisturbed areas near vegetation, trash, and moisture—where their prey gathers. Outdoors, they may hide in woodpiles and sheds. Indoors, these spiders are often found in storage areas, basements, garages, and crawl spaces, as well as among clutter. 

What attracts black widow spiders?

Cluttered yards and plentiful pests are two big draws for black widows. They especially like organic debris, such as stacked wood, leaves, and logs. Junk piles and cardboard stacks also make good hiding spots.

More importantly, black widows follow their food. Common pest attractants include:

• Exterior lighting that draws insects
• Overgrown vegetation and tall grass
• Moisture or damp landscaping
• Open trash cans
• Flowering weeds and aphids that produce honeydew

Reducing these attractants reduces pests and discourages black widows from moving in.

How do black widow spiders get inside homes?

Black widows slip inside through small gaps, cracks, and holes. Here are some common entry points:

• Gaps under doors without sweeps
• Cracks around windows and door frames
• Damaged screens
• Holes around pipes and utility lines
• Structural openings in walls

They can also hitch a ride indoors on items such as potted plants or storage boxes.

How do you know if you have black widows?

Black widows are shy and hide in undisturbed areas, so spotting them requires careful searching.

Look for webs low to the ground in dark, tucked-away spaces. Their webs look messy and have strong, sticky threads. You may even spot the spider in the web.

Contact Termio Pest Control for effective removal and prevention services if you find a web or spider.

How do you get rid of black widow spiders?

If you’ve spotted black widows in your home, contact Termio Pest Control for effective spider control in the Phoenix area. Our locally owned and family-operated pest control company will assess the situation and develop a treatment plan to address the spider infestation. 

How do you prevent black widow spider infestations? 

You can make your home less inviting to black widows by following a few simple steps:

• Clear clutter and debris from your yard.
• Seal gaps and cracks with caulk, weatherstripping, and door sweeps.
• Replace or repair damaged screens and vent covers.
• Move trash bins away from doors and turn off outdoor lights when not in use.
• Keep indoor areas clean to avoid attracting pests.
• Address insect infestations inside and around your home.