–
Stories counsel the lethal black widow spider will invade Texas, Arizona and different states within the southwestern United States, amid warnings of lethal venom.
Consultants say females of this spider can launch a robust neurotoxin 15 occasions extra highly effective than a rattlesnake chew and use it to defend and paralyze their prey.
The poison, often called “snake toxin,” may cause extreme ache, muscle spasms, coronary heart issues and belly cramps, and might paralyze the diaphragm, making it troublesome to breathe. It additionally usually poses a risk to youngsters, the aged and the infirm.
Entomologists at Texas A&M College advise native residents to “take crucial precautions when dealing with saved objects or working in areas the place these spiders might conceal.”
“I’ve personally encountered black widow spiders in outside trash cans and underneath patio furnishings,” says pest administration professional Bryant McDowell.
Typically, these spiders like to cover in hidden locations, together with underneath rocks, log piles, holes dug by different animals, and hole tree trunks.
Scientific consensus stays that this species won’t assault people until threatened.
