How to Identify a Brown Widow Spider

Co-authored by Chris Parker

Last Updated: August 26, 2024 Approved

The brown widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus) is native to South Africa and was first discovered in the United States in 1935. This spider is also commonly known as the grey widow, brown button and geometric button spider. While it is true that brown widow spiders are highly venomous to their prey, they are very timid and rarely bite humans; when they do bite, they don’t inject all their venom making them less harmful. Use this article to learn how to identify a brown widow spider and what to do when bitten by one.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Identifying a Brown Widow Spider

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Brown widows will be brown, tan, and gray with a mottled or spotted pattern. Some may also have white or black markings on their backs. ^{[1]
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Like black widows, brown widows have a very distinctive hourglass marking on the underside of its abdomen. This marking, however, is yellowish to bright orange.

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The front pair will be longer than the rest.^{[2]
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The females will be 1 to 1 ½ inches (centimeters) long, including the legs. The males will be ½ to ¾ of an inch (centimeters) long.
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Search for any round, spiky egg sacs. Brown widow spiders can look similar to certain species of black widow spiders, and their brown color can make them hard to distinguish from other spiders. Knowing what a brown widow's egg sac looks like can help you identify it more accurately. Here are some things to look for:^{[3]
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- Size: ½ inch (centimeters)
- Color: Ivory, tan, or yellow
- Shape: Round and spiky
- Location: On the web
Brown widow spider webs look different from the traditional lace-like spider web. Instead, they are three-dimensional (instead of flat) and cobwebby.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Recognizing Brown Widow Spider Habitats

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1
Know if brown widow spiders live in your state. Brown widow spiders are typically found in the southern part of the United States. Here is a list of the states that they can be found in:^{[6]
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- Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas
- California (particularly southern California), Colorado
- Florida, Georgia, Hawaii
- Louisiana (particularly New Orleans), Mississippi
- Nevada, New Mexico
- Oklahoma, South Carolina
- Tennessee, Texas
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Know if brown widow spiders live in your country. Brown widow spiders are not just found in the United State; they can also be found in other countries, including:^{[8]
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- Asia
- Australia
- Caribbean Islands
- Cyprus
- Japan
- South Africa
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Brown widow spiders prefer secluded areas. Like most spiders, brown widow spiders prefer dark, less-frequented places, such as woody areas. They can also be found in urban areas and around your home and backyard. Here are some places where you are likely to find brown widow spiders:^{[10]
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- Around garden, including under railings and inside empty flower pots
- In closets, attics, and garages, including inside boxes and under handles
- Around your house, particularly under eaves, and behind window shutters
- Underneath furniture, both patio and indoor
- Within folds of linen and clothing
- Inside shoes
Unfortunately, brown widow spiders are active during all four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Treating Brown Widow Spider Bites

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1
Be able to identify a brown widow bite. Fortunately, brown widow spiders are not able to inject as much venom as some other species, so their bites are rarely serious. Here is what you should expect from a brown widow bite:^{[16]
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University of California, Riverside, [spiders.ucr.edu/brownwidow.html The Brown Widow in Southern California]}
- The bite hurts or stings a little
- There is a small, red mark where you got bitten
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Know when to see a doctor. Sometimes, the body can have a far more severe reaction to a spider bite. If you experience any of the following symptoms, visit your doctor immediately:^{[13]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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WebMD, Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites - Check Your Symptoms}
- Trouble with breathing or keeping conscious
- Muscle cramps or tremors
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe pain
- Infections at the bite site, such as rashes, pus, or ulcers
Clean the bite using soap and warm water; be sure to rinse it well. Elevate the bitten area, if possible, and place an ice pack over it; you can also use a cloth soaked in cold water. Washing the bite will help prevent infection while keeping it cool will keep the swelling down.^{[15]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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Take some over-the-counter medications. Spider bites can be itchy and uncomfortable, and brown widow bites are no exception. If you get bitten, consider taking some medication for it:
- Consider taking a pill, such as an acetaminophen, antihistamine, or ibuprofen.^{[16]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
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- You can also use an anti-itch or anesthetic spray. Try to choose one that has benzocaine in it; this will help reduce the itching and pain.^{[17]
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- If the bite is red and won't stop itching, try an anti-itch cream, such as an hydrocortisone cream or a calamine cream.^{[18]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How do I prevent spiders from entering our home?

Chris Parker
Pest Control Specialist
Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. Since 2016, Chris has been specializing in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.

Chris Parker

Pest Control Specialist

Expert Answer

To prevent them from entering your home, start by inspecting the exterior of your house. Remove any items that could attract spiders, such as wood piles, dense vegetation, and long-stored objects, as these areas provide ideal hiding spots for spiders. Also, clear a perimeter of at least one foot around your home, keeping it free of vegetation and stored items. This one-foot barrier helps deter spiders from making their way inside your home.

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Are there widow spiders in the UK?

Community Answer

No. Brown widows live in more tropical places. The UK is way too cold for most tropical spiders.

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Will I die if bitten?

Community Answer

There are no documented cases of deaths from a brown widow. Even though they have a similar venom to the black widow, they cannot inject nearly as much, and their bites are much weaker, reducing the chance that the venom spreads.

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Tips

It is wise to wear gloves and shake out any shoes or articles of clothing that have been stored in your attic or your garage before you wear them or bring them inside. Otherwise, you may inadvertently bring the spider(s) indoors.

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Be extremely careful if you have children around, and do not allow them to touch or go near anything that may seem like the perfect hiding place for a spider.

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Brown widows can be found in the most unexpected places, such as under the lip of a planter pot, and underneath mailboxes.

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Warnings

A brown widow spider is quite shy and it will most likely avoid any contact with you. This spider tends to retreat from humans and will remain very still until it senses the threat is gone. However, if you provoke a brown widow, it will probably bite you.

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