Pest Library · West Texas
Black Widow Spiders
Meter boxes, wood piles and dark garage corners are prime black widow spider spots across the Basin. Here is how to spot one and how to work around them safely.
Quick answer
The female black widow is shiny jet black with a round belly and a red or yellow hourglass underneath. She is shy and bites only when trapped or pressed. Texas DSHS says her venom can cause severe reactions, so get medical advice after any bite. Clearing clutter and sealing gaps keeps widows away from where you reach.
How to Identify Them
Texas DSHS lists two venomous spiders that matter most in Texas homes: the black widow and the brown recluse. The widow is the easier one to spot.
Females. Jet black and glossy, with a round, ball shaped belly. Flip her over and you'll see a reddish or yellowish hourglass on the underside.
Males. Smaller, brown and plain. They are rarely a concern.
Webs. Widows build messy, tangled webs low to the ground, often in a corner or gap. The silk feels tough and sticky when you brush it.
Egg sacs. Round, papery balls tucked in the web. Each one can hold many spiderlings.
DSHS notes the name comes from the female's habit of often eating the male after mating.
Where They Hide
DSHS lists wood piles, boxes, meter boxes, under eaves and other quiet, undisturbed spots. Around West Texas homes, also check:
- Water and electric meter boxes
- Irrigation valve boxes and pool equipment
- Under patio furniture and grills
- Inside stacked flower pots and buckets
- Garage shelves, boots and work gloves
- Sheds, barns and block walls
They stay put once they have a good web. A female may live in the same meter box for a long time.
How Risky Is a Bite?
A female black widow is not aggressive. DSHS says widows bite when they are trapped, disturbed or threatened, like when a hand reaches into a meter box or a foot slides into a boot.
The venom is a neurotoxin. DSHS says it is reported to be 15 times more toxic than prairie rattlesnake venom, but only a tiny amount goes in with each bite. Many bites feel like a pinprick at first and may not be noticed.
Black Widow Spider Bite First Aid
Reactions vary with the person's age, where the bite is and how much venom went in. DSHS advises:
- Wash the bite
Clean it well with soap and water to lower the chance of infection.
- Use an ice pack
Cold helps ease pain and swelling.
- Get medical advice
Call your doctor or Poison Control at 1 800 222 1222. Seek care fast for a child, an older adult or anyone with spreading pain, cramps or trouble breathing.
DSHS notes an antivenom exists but is saved for extreme cases because of the risk of a severe allergic reaction.
Prevention Tips
- Wear gloves when you open meter boxes, move wood or clean the garage.
- Shake out boots, shoes and gloves stored in the garage.
- Store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes.
- Keep wood piles and junk away from the house.
- Vacuum webs and egg sacs indoors, as DSHS suggests, then empty the vacuum outside.
- Seal gaps under doors and around pipes.
For a full plan, see spider control. Routine general pest control also cuts the insects widows eat.
Black Widow FAQs
How do I know if a spider is a black widow?
Look for a shiny black spider with a round belly and a red or yellowish hourglass on the underside. The web is messy and tough, usually low and in a protected spot. Brown, plain spiders with the same shape may be males or other cobweb spiders.
What should I do after a black widow bite?
Wash the bite with soap and water and use an ice pack to ease pain and swelling, as Texas DSHS advises. Call your doctor or Poison Control at 1 800 222 1222. Get emergency care for severe pain, cramps, trouble breathing or a bite on a small child.
Are black widows aggressive?
No. Texas DSHS says neither the black widow nor the brown recluse is aggressive. Bites happen when a spider gets pressed against skin or trapped, often in a glove, boot or meter box. Wearing gloves and shaking out shoes prevents most bites.
Do black widows live inside homes?
They prefer quiet, protected spots like garages, sheds and meter boxes more than living rooms. They can end up inside through gaps under doors. Finding several indoors usually points to an outdoor population close to the house that needs attention.
Same Day Service Available
Get Help With Black Widows
Widows in the meter box or garage? Request a free inspection. Your technician will find where they nest and treat those spots.
Odessa Pest Control connects you with a local pest control technician. Ask for their Texas license number before work starts.
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Sources
- Texas Department of State Health Services, Spiders: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/disease-surveillance-epidemiology-section/zoonosis-control/animal-bites/venom/spiders
- Texas Poison Center Network: https://www.poisoncontrol.org/