Physical Characteristics of Black Widows in Phoenix
- Females are black with red spots or a red hourglass shape on the abdomen
- Males, measuring half the size of females, appear brown or gray with a yellow or white marking
- Vision is poor and the spider relies on vibrations from their web to navigate
Phoenix Black Widow Behavior
- Spins a network of tangled silk to capture prey and lay eggs
- Females kill their male counterparts after mating
- Poisonous, yet not aggressive
Food Sources in Phoenix
- Insects, woodlice and sometimes other spiders
- Females will eat their young as they are developing
Life Cycle
- Females in Phoenix lay hundreds of eggs at a time, of which, a small number actually survive
- A Black Widow can live up to 3 years
Related Black Widow Information and Warnings
- A Phoenix black widow’s venom can be up to 15x stronger than a rattlesnake. However, only a small number of fatalities are reported from their bites
- Young children, the elderly and small animals are more susceptible to venom and should seek medical attention immediately following a bite
If you notice a Black Widow or have feel as though you have an infestation in your Phoenix property please feel free to call Bug Guardian at (480)345-2847.