Specific names come to mind when we think about poisonous spiders, such as the southern black widow spider and the brown recluse. These two species are some of the United States’ deadliest spiders commonly found in Indiana State. 

But what about the brown widow spider? Are brown widow spiders dangerous or poisonous to humans? Fortunately for the residents of Indiana, this spider isn’t common. However, if you’ve moved from or recently visited Hawaii, Florida, or the Caribbean Islands, then you may have encountered this spider. It is important to be able to identify the brown widow as well as understand just how dangerous it can be.

The brown widow spider is closely related to the highly venomous black widow spider, but there are apparent differences.

As the name suggests, the coloration of a brown widow spider is a mottling of tan and brown combined with black accent markings. The color is a visible contrast to the shiny black bodies of black widow spiders.

The easiest gender to distinguish is the mature females with a dorsal longitudinal abdominal stripe with three diagonal stripes on each flank. In addition, you’ll find a visible black, square-ish mark at the top of each diagonal stripe. 

The brown widow spider does have the distinctive hourglass shape that’s common among widow spiders, but it’s usually a shade of orange. When you encounter black widow spiders, the hourglass shape is a more vivid red color.

Did you know? Brown widow spiders are difficult to differentiate from immature western black widow spiders. Being able to tell the difference will require some experience.

The egg sacs of most spiders look like little cotton balls with indistinct edges when detached from surfaces. However, the egg sacs of brown widow spiders are distinct and readily recognizable because they have tiny spikes all over the surface. These spiders also produce more eggs and offspring than black widow spiders.

Like most spiders, brown widows seek to build their webs in secluded, protected sites around your home or woody vegetation with branches. Typical web building sites include:

Are Brown Widow Spiders Dangerous to Humans?

It is important to know that, although brown widow spider bites are rare, the spider is venomous and its bite can be harmful. Thankfully, the amount of venom that they inject in each bite is miniscule compared to their cousins the black widow. Ultimately, to most people, the brown widow spider bite is not dangerous and does nothing more than leave an irritating sore. However, some people may be sensitive to the venom and things could become more severe, so if you suspect that you have been bitten and you are experiencing severe symptoms, it may be best to speak with a medical professional.

Brown spiders are poisonous and, although their venom can be just as toxic as other widow species, a spider bite’s potential to cause harm depends on more than just venom toxicity. Another factor is that brown widow spiders tend to be smaller than black widows and inject less venom when they bite. Therefore, the bite of a brown widow spider has been known to be less harmful compared to the bite of a black widow.

Symptoms of a brown widow bite include:

While it’s not common for people to die from the bite of venomous spiders like the brown widow spider, it’s never fun to get bitten. So if you’ve noticed an increase in the number of spider webs around your home, it may be time to call the YES Pest Pros, Inc. experts.

Contact us today for a free pest control quote!

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