Frequently, spiders are harmless and can be beneficial to your home. However, some have characteristics that cause us fear. So, one of the most dangerous spiders in the world is the black widow spider. In this article, let's find out together all the details about this species of spider.
Their origins
Better known as the southern black widow or simply black widow, or the shoe button spider, Latrodectus Mactans is a species of venomous spider in the genus Latrodectus. This arachnid comes from North America, more specifically from Mexico and the United States. These spiders are well known for their distinctive black and red color and for the fact that they occasionally eat their mate after breeding.
How can you recognize a black widow spider?
Generally, they are small in size but with about 15mm in size, they are still larger than the males which measure between 7 to 9 mm. Next, it should be pointed out that even though she is called a black widow, that does not mean that she is entirely black. Indeed, we can recognize these spiders thanks to their black back with a bright red pattern resembling the hourglass.
What are the risks in case of bites?
Even if at first glance the Black Widow does not seem aggressive, it still arouses fear because of its toxic venom which contains alpha-latrotoxin which is 15 times more dangerous than the venom found in certain snakes. After triggering a significant production of neurotransmitters, this venom will cause a whole range of disorders: nausea, hallucinations, anxiety, muscle spasms, headaches as well as neurovegetative disorders such as increased blood pressure, cold sweats or excessive sweating.
Most of the time, the most vulnerable are people who are especially old, children or people with heart problems. There are treatments to reduce the effect of the venom, which explains the low number of deaths due to the bites of these spiders.
How to eliminate black widow spiders?
Normally it is possible that you can eliminate these kinds of spiders yourself and prevent them from entering your home, but it is very risky because it requires caution and good expertise. So if you are very concerned about the problems of black widow spiders and want to get rid of their presence for good, you should contact an exterminator. Indeed, the call of a professional exterminator with the ability to use more powerful insecticides is highly recommended.