How Worried Should I Be About Black Widow Spiders in Alabama?
Say "black widow" at a cookout and watch everybody check their feet. The spider has a big reputation. Some of it is earned and some of it is not, so here is a quick sort of myth versus fact.
Myth: every shiny black spider is a widow
Fact: plenty of harmless spiders are dark and glossy. The female widow has a round, shiny black body, and the giveaway is a red hourglass shape on the underside of her belly. You usually will not see it unless she is hanging upside down in her web. The males are smaller and are not the ones people worry about.
Myth: they are hunting for you
Fact: they want to be left alone. A widow builds a messy, tangled web down low and waits. She bites when she is squeezed or pinned, like when a hand goes into a glove, a shoe, or a stack of stuff she has been living in.
Where they actually hide
- Woodpiles and stacked lumber
- Meter boxes and the little doors on utility panels
- Under patio furniture, grill covers, and pool equipment
- Garages, sheds, and the back of cluttered shelves
- Old flower pots and stacked buckets
Myth: a bite is always an emergency
Fact: serious outcomes are rare, and most people recover. But a female widow bite can cause strong muscle cramping, sweating, and nausea, so do not wait it out. If you think you were bitten, wash the spot, put a cold pack on it, and call your doctor or poison control. Kids, older folks, and anyone with health problems should get seen sooner.
What you can do this weekend
Wear gloves when you handle firewood or dig through the shed. Shake out shoes and gardening gloves left outside. Move woodpiles away from the house and off the ground. Knock down webs you find with a long broom handle, and look for the tangled, strong-feeling kind, not the neat wheel shape. If you find several, or you keep finding them in the same place, that is when to call us. Our spider control treats the hiding places and the entry points along with the webs you can see.
Not sure what you are looking at? Our post on which Alabama spiders are dangerous and which are harmless has more.
Found a web that makes you nervous?
Send us a photo and we will tell you what it is, and what to do about it. Call or text us at (205) 855-7975.
Get a Free EstimateHow do I know if a spider is a black widow?
The female is shiny, round, and black with a red hourglass on the underside of her belly. Her web is messy and tangled, and usually sits low to the ground.
Are black widows aggressive?
No. They are shy and bite mostly when pressed against skin, such as when a hand goes into a glove or shoe where one is hiding.
What should I do if I think a black widow bit me?
Wash the area, use a cold pack, and call your doctor or poison control right away. Get seen sooner for children, older adults, or anyone with health conditions.
