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Black Widows
Black widow spiders are most recognized for the
red hourglass shape under their abdomen. Contrary
to legend, female black widow spiders rarely devour
the male black widow spider after mating. Black
widow spiders spin their webs near ground level.
They often build their webs in protected areas,
such as in boxes and in firewood. Black widow
spiders are often found around wood piles and
gain entry into a structure when firewood is carried
into a building. They are also found under eaves,
in boxes, and other areas where they are undisturbed.
The venom of a black widow spider is a neurotoxin
and is used as a defense. Black widow spiders
do not bite humans instinctively. The black widow
spider bite can cause severe pain. Young children
and the elderly are especially susceptible to
a severe reaction to a black widow spider bite.
Brown recluse
Brown recluse spiders have a characteristic dark
brown violin marking on their back. Brown recluse
spiders are nocturnal and eat other bugs like
cockroaches. Male brown recluse spiders wander
farther than females and will crawl into shoes
or other clothing. Brown recluse spiders often
live outdoors in debris and wood piles. They can
be found indoors in storage areas and dark recesses.
Like the black widow spider, the brown recluse
spider bites in defense and does not bite humans
instinctively. They will bite humans when the
clothing they are hiding in is worn. The brown
recluse spider bite is painful and can produce
an open, ulcerating sore.
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