The brown widow spider (Brown Widow Spider) which has the Latin name Latrodectus geometricu s, is native to South Africa and was first discovered in the United States in 1935. This spider is also known as the gray widow spider, brown button and geometric buttons. It is true that the brown widow spider is very venomous to its prey, but this type of spider is very shy and rarely bites humans; if this spider bites a human, it doesn't inject all of its venom so it's not too dangerous. Use this article to learn how to recognize a brown widow spider and what to do if it is bitten by this animal.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing the Chocolate Widow Spider
Step 1. Observe the color of the spider
The brown widow spider is usually brown, dark brown, and gray with a mottled or mottled pattern. Some may also have white or black markings on their backs.
Step 2. Look for the hourglass-shaped mark
Just like the black widow spider, the brown widow also has a distinctive hourglass-shaped marking on the underside of its abdomen. However, these markings are yellowish to light orange in color.
Step 3. Notice the dark rings on her feet
The forelegs are longer than the other legs.
Step 4. Look at the size
The female spider is about 2.5 – 8 cm long, including the legs. Male spiders are approximately 1 – 2 cm long.
Step 5. Check for the presence of a round, spiked egg bag
Brown widow spiders can look similar to certain spider species such as the black widow, and their brown color makes them difficult to distinguish from other spiders. Knowing what the brown widow spider's egg pouch looks like can help you identify it with more certainty. Here are a few things to look out for:
- Size: 1, 2 cm
- Color: Ivory white, dark brown, or yellow
- Shape: Round and prickly
- Location: On the net
Step 6. Find the net
The brown widow's web looks different from the traditional lace-like web. Instead, these spider webs are three-dimensional (not flat) and are shrouded in webs.
Method 2 of 3: Identifying the Habitat of the Chocolate Widow Spider
Step 1. Find out if brown widow spiders live in your state
The brown widow spider is usually found in the southern part of the United States. Here's a list of states where these spiders can be found:
- Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas
- California (especially southern California), Colorado
- Florida, Georgia, Hawaii
- Louisiana (especially New Orleans), Mississippi
- Nevada, New Mexico
- Oklahoma, South Carolina
- Tennessee, Texas
Step 2. Find out if brown widow spiders live in your country
The brown widow spider isn't just found in the United States; These animals are also found in other countries, including:
- Asia
- Australia
- Caribbean Islands
- Cyprus
- Japan
- south Africa
Step 3. The brown widow spider prefers secluded areas
Like most spiders, the brown widow prefers dark, infrequently visited places, such as wooded areas. These spiders can also be found in urban areas and around your home and yard. Here are some places where you're most likely to find a brown widow spider:
- Around the garden, including under fences and in empty flower pots
- In cupboards, attics and garages, including in boxes/cardboards or under handles
- Around your house, especially under roofs, and behind shutters
- Under furniture, both on the terrace and in the room
- In the folds of cloth and clothes
- Inside the shoe
Step 4. Know when the brown widow spider comes out of hiding
Unfortunately, brown widow spiders are active in all seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Method 3 of 3: Dealing with Chocolate Widow Spider Bites
Step 1. Have the ability to recognize the bite of the brown widow spider
Luckily, brown widow spiders don't inject as much venom as other types of spiders, so their bites are rarely serious. Here are things you should watch out for from a brown widow spider bite:
- The bite is painful or slightly stinging
- There is a small red spot where you were bitten
Step 2. Know when to see a doctor
Sometimes the body can cause a much more severe reaction to a spider bite. If you experience the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately:
- Difficulty breathing or maintaining consciousness
- Muscle spasms or body shaking
- Trembling muscles
- sweat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe pain
- An infection occurs at the bitten site, such as a rash, pus, or boils
Step 3. Treat the bite wound by cleaning it and applying an ice pack
Clean the wound using soap and warm water; make sure you rinse it well. Elevate the bitten body, if possible, and place an ice pack over the wound; You can also use a cloth dipped in cold water. Washing the bite wound can prevent infection while cooling it will contain the swelling.
Step 4. Take over-the-counter medications
Spider bites can cause itching and discomfort, and brown widow bites are no exception. If you get bitten, consider taking medication to treat it:
- Consider taking pills, such as acetaminophen, antihistamines, or ibuprofen.
- You can also use an anti-itch spray or an anesthetic. Try to choose one that contains benzocaine; This will help reduce itching and pain.
- If the bite is red and the itching won't go away, try an anti-itch cream, such as hydrocortisone or calamine cream.
Tips
- You should put on gloves and shake off any shoes or clothing stored in the attic or garage before you put them on or bring them into the house. Otherwise, you may accidentally bring spiders into your home.
- Brown widow spiders can be found in the most unexpected places, such as under the lip of plant pots, and under mailboxes.
- You need to be extra careful if you have children in your home, and don't let them touch or get close to anything that looks like a perfect hiding place for spiders.
- Use putty to seal gaps around window frames and doors, and apply wire mesh to windows. This will prevent spiders from sneaking into your home.
- Consider using pesticides to kill large numbers of nuisance animals. Read the label on the pesticide package carefully; Most pesticides can be very harmful to pets.
- Keep your house and yard clean. When cleaning, make sure to focus on the corners and the bottom of the furniture. The cleaner your house and yard are, the less likely spiders are to inhabit them.
