Black Widows

About Black Widows

Black widow spiders are among the most venomous spiders in Orange County and are found throughout Southern California. The western black widow female is easily recognized by her shiny black body and bright red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. They build irregular, messy webs in dark, sheltered areas such as garages, sheds, woodpiles, meter boxes, and under outdoor furniture. While bites are rarely fatal to healthy adults, they can cause severe pain, muscle cramps, and nausea. Children, elderly individuals, and pets are at greatest risk from black widow venom.

How to Identify Black Widows

• Shiny black body, about 1.5 inches including legs
• Distinctive red or orange hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen
• Build irregular, tangled webs close to the ground in sheltered areas
• Males are much smaller and lighter colored with red or white markings
• Egg sacs are round, papery, and tan or gray in color

Lifecycle

Female black widows lay 200 to 900 eggs per sac and may produce several sacs per season. Spiderlings hatch in about 20 days and disperse by ballooning on silk threads. They molt multiple times over several months before reaching maturity. Females can live 1 to 3 years, while males rarely survive long after mating.

Health & Property Risks

• Venomous bites cause severe pain, muscle cramps, and abdominal rigidity
• Bites can be dangerous to children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals
• Webs in high-traffic areas increase accidental contact risk
• Presence in garages and sheds poses hazards during routine activities