The Black Widow spider can be found throughout most of North America, and my home county in Virginia is no exception.  These vile little arachnids produce a protein venom that affects the victim's nervous system. There are worse spiders and more venomous animals in the world, to be sure. But they aren’t hanging around in my woodpile, or trying to nest in my gloves.

My grandfather almost died of a Black Widow bite many years ago. My grandparents had an outhouse, and a favorite haunt of spiders is under the seat in these quaint commodes. A bite on the butt led to a severe reaction that almost killed him. Some people are only slightly affected by the venom, but others can have a severe response.

It’s a mixed blessing about the temperament of these spiders. They are shy and timid, and will usually curl up into a ball when threatened. But they don’t make much effort to get out of your way either.  They usually only bite when they are being squashed, or when they get cornered.

How Do You Know If One Nailed You?
The first symptom is acute pain at the site of the bite, although there may only be a minimal local reaction. Symptoms usually start within 20 minutes to one hour after the bite.

Local pain may be followed by localized or generalized severe muscle cramps, abdominal pain, weakness and tremor. Large muscle groups (such as shoulder or back) are often affected, resulting in considerable pain. In severe cases, nausea, vomiting, fainting, dizziness, chest pain and respiratory difficulties may follow.

What Do You Do?
Get to the doctor or hospital immediately. People rarely die from a Black Widow's bite, but life-threatening reactions may arise as a complication from the bite. Blood pressure and heart rate may be elevated. The elevation of blood pressure can lead to one of the most severe complications, especially in the elderly and those with other health issues.
But as always, prevention is your best medicine.  If you have Black Widows, Brown Recluses or other venomous critters in your area:
•    Watch where you put your hands, and where you sit outdoors.
•    Avoid leaving boots, gloves or other garments out overnight, or unattended for a long time.
•    Be cautious around undisturbed areas that provide shelter for insects and snakes (wood and lumber piles, rock piles, etc.) .

Have you ever been bitten? Tell us your story in the comments section.

Photo: Trachemys