Pest Library

Characteristics

The brown widow spider has a molting of tan and brown with black emphasis marking. However, being able to recognize this spider may be difficult because of their changeable markings on the back of their abdomen, which can be black, white, yellow, orange, or brown. If you are able to see the underside of their abdomen, you will be able to find an hourglass marking that is orange to yellow orange in color. The female spiders can range to 1 inch to 1 ½ inches long with the males being much smaller. To know if you have a brown widow, see if their egg sac has a spherical shape that is covered in tiny spike.

Habitat

The brown widow commonly makes its web in isolated, protected places around homes and in woody vegetation. These spiders are common in urban areas, in patio furniture, outdoor toys, backyards, gardens, playgrounds, and also in vehicles. They can also be found in empty containers, mailboxes, under eaves, storage closets, garages, and so on. They normally choose places near human dwellings, which is why they are at higher risk to interact with us.

Behavior

Unlike the black widow, the brown widow spider likes to hide out where people commonly live. They will stay toward the crannies underneath old patio furniture, and into those recessed handles on garbage lids. Although they may like places where people are in, they are not aggressive and are less likely to bite people. They will prefer to back out from a fight than face it. However, they can still bite, especially if they are cornered, threatened, or if they are protecting their sacs.

Food

The brown widow spider eats a variety of insects that includes flies, mosquitoes, beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, diplopods, woodlice, centipedes, millipedes, and other spiders.

Life Cycle

The brown recluse is known to be a prolific breeder since they can produce many egg sacs in her lifetime. She can lay about 120 to 150 eggs per sac and can produce 20 egg sacs during her lifetime.

Other Information and Tips

While most homeowners are scared of the brown widow, especially when bitten, their bite may sting, but it will go away, and it is harmless. If you are even going to compare it with the black spider, the venom of this spider is less venomous compared to the black spider.

Of course it is necessary to make certain that your home is protected from widow spiders and that there is no infestation around your home. Routine cleaning is one of the most important defense you can do to eliminate spiders and stop them from returning. Make sure that the home and garage are regularly vacuumed to effectively remove spiders, their egg sacs, and their webbing. It is also necessary to move or disposed potential hiding places, such as firewood, building materials, and other debris outside the home. Also, seal any cracks, holes or spaces around doors and windows.

Photo: Brown Widow - Latrodectus geometricus by Roy Niswanger, used under CC BY 2.0 / resized from original