Brown Widow Spider Invades Mississippi Gulf Coast

A new venomous spider is now living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Mississippians need to be aware that the new spider, a close relative of the black widow, is poisonous to humans, and care should be taken in areas where the spider is found.

The new spider, the brown widow, Latrodectus geometricus, can be found in many areas along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Found worldwide in the tropics, it most likely entered the United States through Florida. This spider has since moved through Georgia and South Carolina and has been found in Alabama, Texas and California.

Like the black widow, the brown widow has the familiar hourglass design on its underside, except the hourglass design is orange-to-yellow, instead of the red design found on the black widow. The brown widow is about 1.5 inches long and is typically brown or grayish-brown in color. The legs are banded, with one-half of each leg segment lighter in color than the other half. Variations of the color scheme exist with some individuals resembling the black widow.

The brown widow produces up to 5,000 young from a single female in a season. A female can live up to 3 years and is found around buildings, piles of lumber and other debris, where it seems to be well adapted.

Not as aggressive as its close relative, the black widow, the brown widow will usually roll up into a ball and fall to the ground if disturbed. However, it will bite if disturbed or squeezed. Probably the most common means of biting is from spiders trapped next to the skin in clothing.

Of the many species of spiders in Mississippi, most are not able to puncture human skin. Their venom is generally not harmful even if they do puncture the skin. Only three spiders are of health concern – the black widow, brown recluse and the brown widow.

Unlike black widow and brown recluse bites, the bite of the brown widow is milder and tends to be less serious, with symptoms restricted to the bite site and surrounding tissue. However, if bitten by one of these spiders, seek medical assistance immediately.

Many are terrified of spiders and think nothing of squashing these amazing creatures. Spiders are beneficial and should not be indiscriminately destroyed. If brown widows or other unwanted spiders are residing near a structure and pose a threat, application of pesticides may aid in their elimination. Insecticides may be applied as crack, crevice or perimeter treatments along the foundation base by the homeowner or a licensed pest control operator. These applications may result in a short-term reduction in brown widows, other spiders and insects, but may not provide long-term control to prevent new infestations. A more ecologically friendly approach is to eliminate hiding areas around the foundation and close to the building. Keeping these areas free of trash, debris, dense shrubbery and ground covers should reduce the number of spiders found around the home.