Black Widow

[Fear_Itself]

@tr0psn4j

I had, what I assume was the same black widow, build it’s web at the same spot every summer in front of my house. She did this for about 4 years but I’m guessing that about the extent of a black widow’s life span cause I didn’t see it this summer.

Typical black widow life spanis one year, though some have been known to live up to three years.

[outlierrn]

@tr0psn4j

I had, what I assume was the same black widow, build it’s web at the same spot every summer in front of my house. She did this for about 4 years but I’m guessing that about the extent of a black widow’s life span cause I didn’t see it this summer.

They might not be harmless but what are the odds of them actually seriously hurting you?

Pretty poor, the lethality of widows is overated.

Eight of 12 patients recovered (had relief of symptoms) within 24 hours, often by 12 hours. Antivenin did appear to bring quicker relief of symptoms. Hypertension was severe but asymptomatic in all patients.** There were no complications or deaths** resulting from BWSE.

http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=3258082

Mortality/Morbidity
In the United States, an average of 4 deaths per year are reported to occur as a result of spider bites.[2] However, no deaths caused by widow spider envenomation have been reported to the AAPCC since its first annual report in 1983

Brown Recluse Spider Envenomation: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology

all bolding mine.

[Leaffan]

@outlierrn

Actually, abdominal cramping is the more common symptom of a latrodectus envenomation

You see, her venom is highly neuro-toxic. Which is to say that it attacks the central nervous system; causing intense pain, profuse sweating, difficulty in breathing, loss of conciousness, violent convulsions, and, finally… uh, death.

[foolsguinea]

I’d probably leave it alone if it were in an unused corner. Not everything that looks like a black widow is a black widow, and even real black widows have venom more appropriate to killing things small enough for them to eat.

You can let it merrily eat more pestiferous insects & the like. If it’s really in the way, it makes sense to find some out-of-the-way corner of your yard to stick it, or kill it.