The black widow spider is one of the most poisonous spiders in the United States. It can cause death from a bite, although not always instantly. The average lifespan of a black widow is about two to three years, with some specimens living up to five years. A well-liked method of killing this creature is to put ice on the bite area, which forces the spider to let go of the deadening web and let the victim crawl free.
This species is one of three kinds of “true” black widows. The other two are the black recluse and the common house spider. There are also two other species of black widow, most of which are less known. These are the black maned and the milkweed black widow.
This spider is found in southern Canada and the northern United States. It usually lives in houses and attics, but has also been found in attics and crawlspaces. Like most black widows, it tends to hunt in darkness or at night, often hunting late into the evening. The female black widow will spin a web near the victim when she is ready to bite, and then inject venom by puncturing her skin with her mouth. If the web has been made very large, the spider will use a silk purse as a funnel to inject venom through the web and into the victim.
When seen by the untrained eye, a picture of a black widow looks like a harmless violin with a violin bow. However, the dangerous truth is that they are dangerous predators. The black widow is one of the most poisonous species of spiders in North America. Their bite is especially dangerous because their poisonous juices are quickly absorbed by the body.
An old picture of a black widow with a violin bow would make you think that they were only dangerous to children. Not so! While kids may be uninjured by an adult black widow, they can still be severely injured by this species when they get into the process of eating. In fact, just one pointy drop of venom on the face or neck can cause death within eight minutes. And, if the spider is not killed by a professional, the venom will travel from the bitten area to the heart, causing death within 12 hours.
These spiders usually live in old houses in the woods, but have also been found living in houses and attics in the middle of the city. Their abode is often a closet or an inconspicuous place, like behind a toilet or next to a vent. They will hide in the dark, and often times will not give a sign of a black widow bite until after the bite has caused serious damage. If caught in time, they will run away, but if left as is, death will result.
A picture of a black widow spider is a very scary image. It’s the kind of picture that can make you want to keep your children indoors, or that can send shivers up your spine at the thought of going on a camping trip where you might encounter one. The fact is that these spiders are dangerous to humans, and should be taken seriously even if the spider is found in an inconspicuous place.
An experienced exterminator can identify the species of spider in a picture, and know how to treat it safely. This can help prevent a dangerous situation for you or your children while camping, or anywhere that a black widow may be. If you want to know more about these dangerous creatures, and have never seen a black widow spider in person, contact an arachnologist today!
