Black widow spiders are a common concern due to their distinctive appearance and potent venom. Understanding their characteristics and behaviors is important for public awareness and safety, particularly regarding where they might be encountered.
Presence in New Jersey
Black widow spiders are found in New Jersey. The Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus) is the most commonly encountered species, native to the eastern United States. While not as widespread as in some southern states, sightings occur, particularly during warmer months.
Identifying a Black Widow
Identifying a black widow spider involves recognizing several key features, primarily on the female, as she is larger and more often encountered. Adult female black widows are typically shiny black, with a distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of their rounded abdomen. This marking can sometimes appear as two separate triangles or dots, or even be orange or white instead of red. Females usually measure about 1/2 inch (13 mm) in body length, excluding their legs, and can reach approximately 1.5 inches including leg span.
Male black widows are considerably smaller, often about half the size of females, measuring around 0.1 to 0.4 inches long. They are typically lighter in color, often brown or gray, and may have red, white, or orange stripes or spots on their abdomen, rather than a prominent hourglass. Juvenile black widows exhibit orange, brown, and white banding, acquiring the characteristic black coloration as they mature through molts. Their irregular, tangled, and sticky webs, often found in undisturbed areas, also aid in identification.
Where Black Widows Live
Black widow spiders prefer secluded, undisturbed, dark, dry places. Outdoors, they commonly reside under rocks, in woodpiles, and within cluttered areas like sheds, garages, and barns. They may also be found in hollow logs, under eaves, or within patio and deck crevices. These spiders are not typically found in open, frequently trafficked areas, instead favoring low-traffic corners and spaces that offer stability and shelter.
While black widows primarily inhabit outdoor environments, they can enter human dwellings, especially when seeking warmth or shelter. Indoors, they might be found in basements, crawl spaces, attics, and other cluttered or undisturbed storage areas. They are known to hide under furniture, behind baseboards, or even in stored items like shoes and clothing. If firewood is brought inside, black widows commonly enter homes as they are often found within woodpiles.
Understanding Their Bite and Safety
A black widow spider bite, though rarely fatal to healthy adults, can cause medically significant symptoms due to its potent neurotoxic venom. The bite itself may initially feel like a pinprick or might not be felt at all. Within 15 minutes to an hour, a dull muscle pain often spreads from the bite area to other parts of the body, such as the chest, back, or abdomen, depending on the bite’s location.
Common symptoms of a black widow bite include severe muscle cramps and spasms, which can intensify for several hours. Other systemic reactions may involve nausea, vomiting, increased sweating, headache, restlessness, and high blood pressure. Young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised health are more susceptible to serious complications, although severe symptoms typically improve within two to three days. Milder symptoms, however, can persist for several weeks.
Immediate Care for a Black Widow Bite
If a black widow bite is suspected, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, as prompt treatment can alleviate symptoms and prevent complications. While waiting for medical help:
Clean the bite area thoroughly with soap and water.
Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the bite for 10-20 minutes at a time to help reduce pain and swelling and slow the venom’s spread.
Elevate the affected limb, if possible.
Over-the-counter pain relievers or antihistamines may help manage discomfort and itching.
Preventing Black Widow Bites
To avoid black widow bites, caution is important when working in areas where they might reside. If a black widow is encountered, it is often best to avoid direct contact, as they typically bite defensively when they feel threatened or trapped.
Wear gloves when handling items that have been in storage, moving woodpiles, or gardening.
Shake out shoes, clothing, and blankets before use, especially if they have been stored in sheds, garages, or basements.
Clear clutter in and around homes, particularly in undisturbed areas, to help eliminate potential hiding spots for these spiders.