The black widow is one of the most feared spiders in North America — and for good reason. Native to Middle Tennessee, these venomous spiders are reclusive but potent, often hiding out in garages, crawlspaces, sheds, and outdoor furniture.

They won’t chase you — but if you reach into the wrong dark corner, they might bite.

Active Seasons

Black widows are most active in warmer months, from late spring through early fall, but can survive indoors year-round if the conditions are right. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas with steady temperatures and an available food source.

Lifespan

• Females live up to 1–3 years

• Males have shorter lifespans (a few months) and rarely bite

• Female black widows can produce hundreds of spiderlings in a year

Reproduction Rate

A single female may produce 10+ egg sacs per year, each containing 100–400 eggs. While most spiderlings don’t survive, those that do may spread quickly to nearby areas of the home or yard.

How to Identify

• Appearance:

  • Females are shiny black with a distinctive red hourglass marking on their underside

  • Males are smaller, lighter in color, and rarely seen

• Webs: Messy, irregular webs found close to the ground or in protected areas (unlike the symmetrical webs of other spiders)

• Habitat:

  • Crawlspaces, garages, sheds, woodpiles, under patio furniture, inside boxes or clutter

  • Often found in low-traffic or poorly lit areas

Health Concerns

• Venomous bite that can cause:

  • Severe pain, cramping, and muscle stiffness

  • Nausea, sweating, headache, and in rare cases, difficulty breathing

• While fatalities are extremely rare, medical attention is often required — especially for children, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals

• Bites occur when someone accidentally disturbs their web, usually by reaching into dark or hidden spaces

Property Concerns

• While black widows don’t damage structures, their presence is a major safety concern

• Nests are often hidden and go unnoticed until someone gets bitten

• Infestations may signal underlying clutter, pest activity, or moisture issues that support their habitat

Why You Need Perimeter Pest

Black widows aren’t pests you want to handle yourself. Their reclusive nature and dangerous bite make DIY removal risky and ineffective. At Perimeter Pest, we offer targeted spider control that gets the job done safely and completely:

We inspect the areas where black widows like to hide

• Remove webs and apply professional-grade residual treatments
• Reduce the insects they feed on
• Offer ongoing protection during high-risk seasons

Peace of mind is knowing what’s not crawling around your crawlspace. Call Perimeter Pest — Middle Tennessee’s trusted pros for venomous spider control.