University of California, Riverside Invasive Species Research Center
The brown widow spider may seem confused other poisonous spiders like the black widow or brown recluse. Despite the confusion, the brown recluse spider is real, and for people who live in Southern California and other parts of the southern United States, it is a potential pest that may try to take up residence in your home.
These spiders have a few key features that make them easy to identify, such as markings similar to those of the black widow. They are also venomous, and while their bite may not be as painful or effective as that of other venomous spiders, you just have to be careful around them — or seek professional help immediately. reliable pest control company.
Everything you need to know about brown widow spiders: how to spot one, where they live, how venomous they are, how to kill them. get rid of themetc. — is covered in our guide below.
What are brown widow spiders?
The brown widow shares some similarities with its cousin, the black widow, but there are some different details that make this arachnid stand out. Like the black widow, the brown widow typically has a bright color scheme and an hourglass-shaped marking, though it is usually a shade of orange instead of a bright red.
Other visual characteristics that will help you identify a brown widow spider include:
- A dark brown, black or tan body with mottled legs that can be a mixture of dark and light shades of brown.
- Vertical and diagonal stripes along the abdomen of most adult females that may or may not be easily identified.
- The telltale hourglass-shaped marking that may be present on the spider’s abdomen, although it is usually light orange and therefore less visible from a distance.
One of the most reliable ways to confirm a brown widow spider infestation is to closely examine the egg sacs you find. We understand that this may seem like the last thing you want to do, but the fact is that the brown widow spider’s egg sacs are visibly unique compared to any other species.
This is due to the spiky appearance of the egg pouch. Slightly resembling an unwrapped white Ferrero Rocher chocolate, these egg pouches have white silk spikes all over their surface.
Are brown widow spiders venomous?
When you are faced with a spider infestation, you may wonder if you are dealing with something dangerous. The brown widow spider shares a similarity with other widow spiders in that it East venomous, although a brown widow spider bite is considered minor compared to other venomous spiders.
If you’re wondering if there’s a difference between saying a spider or other creature is venomous and saying it’s poisonous, there is. When it comes to animals, biologists differentiate the two terms based on a few key details:
- Venomous creatures as some spiders, snakes or lizards inject their toxins into their prey or other animals by biting or stinging them.
- Venomous creatures Like frogs, toads, and other amphibians, they release their toxins when eaten. Many venomous animals have toxins on their skin, making direct contact risky, especially if you are dealing with a highly toxic animal like the poison dart frog.
If you’re wondering which spider is the most dangerous to humans, it depends more on the power of each creature. Venomous spiders like the black widow are rarely aggressive toward humans unless trapped or provoked, but their bite can deliver an effective dose that can cause symptoms such as pain, nausea, or muscle cramps.
The brown widow spider is as venomous as other dangerous spiders, but a study that looked at several brown widow bites found that people experienced no noticeable symptoms or that the symptoms were very mild. This may be due to the spider’s inability to inject as much venom as other dangerous spiders.
The main symptoms of a brown widow spider bite are similar to those of other household spiders and may include:
- Pain when you are bitten.
- A red mark at the bite site that lasts for a day or two.
Are there brown widow spiders in my state?
The brown widow is not native to the United States and is instead considered an invasive species. It was first spotted in southeastern Florida in the mid-1900s and has since slowly spread west and north to occupy parts of the southern continental United States. It was also introduced to southern California and Hawaii at one point.
If you live in one of these states, your home is at risk of attracting a brown recluse spider. This type of spider has been tracked in the following states:
- Florida
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Texas
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- California
- Hawaii
How to manage a brown widow spider infestation?
Just one brown widow in your home is too many, and even more so. If you want to easily identify these eight-legged intruders, here are some signs to look out for:
- Uneven, possibly tangled webs in areas away from or around your home (closets, garages, sheds, etc.)
- The sight of this spider’s bristling egg sacs in doorways, window sills or near webs.
- Confirmed sighting of a brown widow herself. Look for the characteristic orange hourglass shape and a general color palette of blacks, browns, and beiges.
Residents of Southern California (or other southern states) who want to jump straight to professional spider control solutions can call Aptive, a long-established and trusted name in the pest control world.
Aptive offers spider control solutions that include a complete inspection of your home and property, as well as preventative measures such as sealing cracks or gaps where spiders and other insects can enter.
Aptive Offers pest control services starting at just $2 per day for new customers who sign up for a minimum 12-month service contract with four or more standard treatments. There are also three types of plans you can sign up for, depending on the severity of your infestation and other pests or rodents you need to treat:
- Basic: Treatments every 50 to 80 days with supplements such as outdoor rodents, pantry pests and aphids.
- Pro: Treatments every 30 to 60 days (April to October) Or every 50 to 80 days (November to March). Includes basic supplements as well as mosquito treatments.
- Prime: Treatments every 20 to 40 days (April to October) Or every 50-80 days (November to March). Includes all basic and pro add-ons.
How to Keep Unwanted Spiders Out of Your Home
One way to keep spiders out of your home is to use scents that they hate as a deterrent. This can be an inexpensive DIY solution to managing spiders in your home, especially if you’re dealing with brown widows (as they tend to be solitary creatures).
A study concluded that two compounds can effectively deter various types of spiders: peppermint and chestnuts. According to the study, the chemicals released by peppermint and chestnuts can be effective in eliminating several types of common indoor spiders from your home (and keeping them at bay).
Stock up on peppermint oil or horse chestnut extract below so you’re ready to fortify your home at the first sign of spiders.
Here are some other tips to keep brown widows and other arachnids away from your home:
- Vacuum your house from top to bottom regularly.
- Keep rooms in your home clean and clutter-free: Messy, dusty rooms can be spiders’ best friends.
- Get rid of their food source: Minimize the risk of other insects taking up residence by washing fruits and vegetables, flushing drains with hot water and cleaning out trash cans regularly.
- Enlist the help of a four-legged friend: Dogs and especially cats tend to be vigilant about spotting (and getting rid of) spiders that scurry into your home.
Of course, if you’re dealing with a larger infestation, you may need professional help. pest control companies offer customized pest spider treatment and removal services. Orkin, for example, will send out spider experts to thoroughly inspect your home before developing a detailed plan on how to kill spiders in your home, as well as keep them out by sealing everything gaps or cracks where spiders could sneak in.
