Know your pests

Black Widow

Black Widow Spiders are considered venomous spiders in North America.
Black Widow spiders are not usually deadly, especially to adults, because they inject only a small amount of venom.

Despite its reputation, this spider often attempts to escape rather than bite, unless it is guarding an egg mass or if it is cornered and pressed.
After mating, the female sometimes eats the male, earning the name "widow."

IDENTIFICATION

FEMALE BLACK WIDOW

The female black widow spider is the most easily recognized, her shiny black body giving great contrast to the red hourglass marking on her round abdomen.

Adult black widow spider males are harmless, about half the female's size, and usually have yellow and red bands with spots on their backs.

The legs of the male are much longer in proportion to his body than that of the female, with it's body half the size