Brown Widow
There are a variety of species of spiders that can plague homes here in Georgia. Most people are aware of some of the more infamous species that are native to the United States such as the black widow and brown recluse. However, one lesser-known species that can cause problems for homeowners is the brown widow.
Sometimes known as the house button spider, the brown widow is a “cousin” to the black widow. It is a fairly small spider, and has a tan-brown body coloration and can be identified by an orange “hourglass” mark on the bottom of the abdomen, similar of those of other widow spiders. The brown widow can also be distinguished by a unique black and white pattern on the upper abdomen.
Brown widows prefer warm and humid environments, which makes the southeastern United States an ideal climate for the spider. The brown widow spider has no defined active seasons and can be found in and around the homes at any time during the year.
When they enter into your home, brown widows will often establish themselves in dark, secluded spaces. Areas like the insides of closets, beneath eaves and rafters, and underneath debris are all common places for brown widows. Once they have found an ideal hiding area, female brown widows will lay egg sacs. These eggs sacs are large with creamy white coloration. They can be most easily identified by the sharp protrusions covering the surface of the sac. The egg sacs can hold over 100 eggs, and after a short time period the new spiderlings will hatch and spread out around the nearby area. This can create problems when the spiders have established themselves indoors because the young spiders can move further into the home seeking prey and shelter.
While brown widows can be dangerous, they are sometimes beneficial due to their role in reducing the populations of other pest insects such as wasps. For this reason, if a brown widow is not in an area where it could pose a threat, it is better that they be left undisturbed.
If you have identified a brown widow infestation, it is important to be extremely cautious when approaching the spiders. While brown widows are not as aggressive as the black widow, they will still bite anything that threatens them or disturbs their eggs.
The bite of the brown widow contains venom of the same toxicity level as black widow venom. However, the brown widow delivers a much smaller dosage of venom per bite, and therefore is less dangerous. Despite the lower quantity of venom, the bite from the brown widow still shows similar symptoms to the black widow bite such as nausea, muscle spasms, and substantial pain around the bite area.
The best way to remain safe from brown widow bites is to maintain proper precaution while in areas where they commonly nest. Avoid reaching into areas with no visibility, and use gloves to protect hands and wrists from bites. Due to the danger posed by brown widow bites, it can often be best to call in a professional service to deal with an infestation inside of your home.
Here at Canton Termite and Pest Control, we have decades of experience dealing with pests and wildlife of all kinds. Our technicians can thoroughly inspect your home, identify the source of any issues as well as any conditions that could be conducive for future infestation, and finally offer you the best treatment options to resolve your pest problems once and for all!
So if you are dealing with brown widow spiders, or simply have a question about any pest, call us today at 770-479-1598!
Here’s to YOU living PEST FREE!
By: Tim
