Pest Library
Brown Widow
The brown widow is a tan to brown widow spider with an orange or yellowish hourglass underneath and faintly banded legs. Its egg sac is the giveaway: a pale sphere covered in silk spikes, unlike the smooth sac of the black widow. It favors the undersides of patio furniture, railings, mailboxes and equipment.
Profile
- Scientific name
- Latrodectus geometricus
- Identification
- Mottled tan to dark brown body, orange-yellow hourglass beneath, spiky egg sacs.
- Typical size
- Female body about 1/2 inch.
- Behavior
- Builds tangled webs in sheltered exterior spots, often in higher numbers than black widows.
- Habitat
- Under patio furniture and railings, in mailboxes, inside stored equipment and under eaves.
- Diet
- Insects captured in the web.
- Lifecycle
- Produces many spiky egg sacs through the warm season.
- Why it matters
- Brown widow venom is generally considered less consequential than black widow venom, but a bite still warrants medical advice, especially if symptoms progress.
- DIY considerations
- Routine physical web and egg sac removal makes a real difference.
- Professional considerations
- Exterior service includes web and egg sac removal and treatment of sheltered harborage.
Signs of activity
- Spiky white egg sacs under furniture, rails or ledges
- Tangled webs on the undersides of outdoor items
- Multiple spiders in the same sheltered area
Prevention
- Sweep webs and egg sacs from furniture, rails and eaves regularly
- Wear gloves when handling stored outdoor items
- Reduce exterior insect attraction from lighting
- Keep stored equipment off the ground and covered
Sources
Related information
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