Table of Contents

• Spiders that look like black widows
• Two Deadliest Spider You Should Avoid This Summer in North America
• Care Instruction for Black Widow Spider Bite
• Conclusion  

Spiders that look like black widows

Among the 40,000 species of Spider in the world, the black widows are considered to be one the most notorious spiders, because of their neurotoxic venom. Scientifically known as the Latrodectus species, these spiders are known for their shiny black bodies and distinctive red hourglass markings. While they hold a lot of medical significance, their venomous bite can pose serious health risks to humans. Identifying a black widow could be challenging especially when they are young. Many of us are confused, due to the similar body patterns and colors. Due to the potential danger, it is important to identify them accurately. So in this Article, we’ll help you to identify the 3 Spiders that exactly look like Black Widow, so that you can tell the difference and avoid unnecessary panic.

Red Widow Spider

Red Widow Spider, scientifically known as the Latrodectus bishop, are mostly reddish-orange, with reddish legs and black or dark-coloured abdomen, with rows of orange and red spots outlined in yellow or white. Whereas, female red widows do not have a complete hourglass
shape on the underside of their abdomen.

These Spiders are so venomous, that it’s actually on par with the western diamondback rattlesnake. When you first encounter them, their first defense is actually to scurry away and to drop, rather than biting at first. But they are so defensive of their nest because that nest is the
next line of their genes. However, these spiders do not hold a lot of venom in their body. For instance, the venom gland of a rattlesnake can hold more venom than this spider’s body volume. But in case, a spider bites you it is a venomation event, you should seek medical help,
as soon as possible.

These spiders could not be easily seen around your house. This is an extremely specialist species, only being found in the very isolated pockets of Palmetto white sand scrub habitats, in Central and some parts of Southern Florida. For their food, they are very much dependent on the scarab beetles and tortoise beetles that live on the species of palm tree. Because of this factor, you need not worry about seeing them around your house. They are very similar to Button spiders, this is the reason why red widows are counted in one of the 3 Spiders That
Exactly Look Like Black Widows.

False Black Widow Spider

These spiders are commonly confused with black widow spiders and are mistakenly thought to be dangerous. They have a similar dark-coloured, globular body. The name false widow is given to species in the genus Steatoda. Six of these species live permanently in the UK. Interestingly, these false black widow spiders also have subcategories, and the three most common of them are- The Rabbit Hutch Spider, the Cupboard Spider and the Noble False Widow Spider. Each species is fairly distinct in Colour and size.

All these species have distinct sets of markings on their abdomen. They have a narrow, white or lighter band around the front of the abdomen towards their head. These markings vary within the species. However, all of these marks can be faded or missing, especially in adult females. Females have a shiny globular abdomen, whereas male abdomen is smaller and less rounded but more clearly marked.

They are reported to be uninvited house guests across the UK, especially in the Autumn. False widows look for warm places to get out of the cold, and it seems that they make a dash for your home as soon as the temperature goes down.

Though False Spider is one of the 3 Spiders That Exactly Look Like Black Widows, their bite is relatively harmless. Although the bite is venomous the venom is not particularly potent. Usually, the only symptom is pain at the site, which may radiate away from the bite. It ordinarily lasts between 1 and 12 hours, and rarely for more than 24 hours. Often the symptoms are very similar to the pain of a wasp sting.

Black House Spider

Black House Spiders are dark-coloured and are bigger than widow spiders. Scientifically known as Badumna insignis, these are spiders common in southern and eastern Australia. Both male and female black spiders have dark brown legs, and gray hairs on the carapace. Their abdomen appears gray with white markings on them. 

They are also found on trees with rough bark, because these trees are good hiding spots in the cracks of the bark. These spiders generally make their web in the trees that are attacked by bugs, because those holes attract other bugs like flies, beetles, butterflies, and bees. Around livelihoods, these spiders feed on insects like moths, beetles, and termites. 

These spiders are commonly found in window frames, tree trunks, logs, rock walls and buildings. They are generally shy and rarely leave their nest. Black House Spiders are venomous but are not considered dangerous. They are not aggressive but bite at the last resort if people touch them. Their bites are extremely painful and can cause local swelling. The symptoms might often include nausea, vomiting, sweating, and giddiness. In case of multiple bites, skin lesions may develop. Though a cold pack may relieve the local pain, but person should seek medical help if symptoms persist.

Two Deadliest Spider You Should Avoid This Summer in North America

Brown Recluse Spider

The Brown Recluse Spider or Loxosceles recluse are mostly found in the south, west, and Midwest areas of the United States. They are usually found in dark areas such as under rocks, in the bark of dead trees, cupboards, basements,  drawers, boxes, attics or similar locations. 

These spiders are small in size, with a body length of 1 cm and a leg span of about 3 cm. These spiders are so venomous that their bite can destroy blood vessels, causing a fairly large skin ulcer. Their bite can take several months to heal, as the venom specifically targets the cell membrane transforming it into liquid.

Black Widow Spider

The Black Widow Spider is one of the most venomous spiders in North America. In the United States, it has three species. the Southern black widow, the Western black widow, and the Northern black widow. Black Widows are mostly shy, and they would rather retreat than lash out. But their bites can cause extreme pain, nausea, faintness, muscle spasms, sweating, and high blood pressure, affecting the person’s central nervous system. If you suspect that you’ve been bitten by a black widow, seek medical help as soon as possible.

Care Instruction for Black Widow Spider Bite  

If a black widow spider has lashed out at you, then you should immediately seek medical help. You can also try these steps as first aid to ease your symptoms.

Clean

 The first thing you should do is to clean the area, with mild soap and water.

Ice Application

Wrap ice in a clean cloth and place it on the bite for 10 minutes, then remove it for 10 minutes. Repeat the process.

Elevate the Area

If you are bitten on your hand or leg, then elevate it to prevent swelling.

Loosen Clothing

One should also loosen clothing and remove rings or other jewellery to avoid discomfort.

Conclusion

Identifying spiders correctly is important for understanding potential risks and implementing appropriate precautions. Black widows are well-known for their venomous bites and several other spiders with similar appearance make identification challenging for the untrained eye. But by familiarizing yourself, you can protect yourself better and avoid panic.