Homes in Pennsylvania are occasionally inhabited by black widow spiders. Listed below are some interesting facts about black widow spiders.
- On average, male black widow spiders are smaller than females, reaching only about half their size in length.
- The female Black Widow is 3/8 inch long and has legs and cephalothorax that are black. Its teardrop shaped abdomen is shiny black with a red “hourglass” mark on the underneath side.
- The harmless male of the species is 1/8 inch long, with red and white markings on the abdomen.
- Black widows are the largest of web-spinning spiders.
- The Black Widow is a shy, nocturnal spider (that likes to hunt for prey at night).
- The female rarely leaves the web and will bite only when she is bothered.
- Black widows prefer both dry and damp, dark locations and will seek warm dwellings in winter.
- The female black widow spider, though it is the most venomous spider in North America.
- Black widow spiders go into a state known as over wintering in cold locations, they tuck in their legs and become dormant.
- The female Black Widow produces up to 900 eggs at a time.
- Black widow spiders are not insects. They are Arachnids, meaning they are part of the animal class Arachnida.
- There are three species of black widow spiders: the northern black widow spider, the western black widow spider and the southern black widow spider.
If you live in Pennsylvania and encounter a black widow spider infestation in your home, contact us for a free inspection and evaluation.