Understanding Black Widow Spider Bite Stages and Symptoms

The black widow spider can be found throughout the United States, as well as Mexico and southern Canada. This is why it is important for those living in these areas to understand the different black widow spider bite stages and symptoms so that the most appropriate treatment option can be applied.

Female black widow spiders are known to be more likely to bite, often in defense of their webs or eggs. You’ll know it’s a female black widow when you see a coal-black, shiny and long-legged spider with a marking on its underside — usually an hourglass shape in yellow, red or orange.

Because they can often be found in areas on your property like the garage, around your swimming pool, or in wood piles or barbecue grills, people get bitten by these venomous spiders commonly between the months of April and October).

How Do You Know If You’ve Been Bitten By a Black Widow Spider?

Look for the following signs:

A fang mark or two, appearing as tiny red spots
Pain at the area of the bite (it can be minimal pain or a sharp pain)
Redness and swelling

After around 30 to 60 minutes after being bitten, the following symptoms may be observed:

Headaches
Sweating
Cramping and spasms of the muscle near the bite which spread and become more severe within six to 12 hours
Very high blood pressure
Nausea or vomiting
Fever or chills
Shock or stupor
Restlessness
Severe pain in the back, chest or belly

Reactions to a black widow spider bite can differ from one person to another; they would depend on the individual’s age and personal health. However, the same bite may produce more severe symptoms in children, babies and older adults; while the bite may not be fatal for healthy adults, they can be for children and seniors.

What To Do

When you get bitten by a black widow, the best thing to do would be to get immediate medical help — call or head to your trusted doctor or the nearest hospital or poison center. Remember to keep calm to prevent too much movement in your blood, which can accelerate the flow of the venom. Rather than use a tourniquet, apply ice to the bite area instead.

How to Prevent Future Attacks

The best way to avoid getting bitten by a black widow spider is to ensure that none have settled in your property. Get in touch with your trusted companies offering pest control services in Modesto so that they can eliminate their presence and remove the risk of getting bitten by a venomous spider.