Black Widow Spider
What it does: The spider is identifiable by a colored, hourglass-shaped spot on its stomach. The venom is reportedly 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake, yet most people that are bitten don’t suffer serious consequences, just minimal to sharp pain, and fatalities are rare. Among humans, bites can cause severe symptoms such as muscle aches, nausea, and a paralysis of the diaphragm that can cause difficulty breathing. The spider is nonaggressive and usually only bites in self-defense.
What to do: In the event of a bite, wash the area with soap and water and elevate the area of the body that was bitten to prevent the venom from spreading. For additional prevention, tie a bandage above the area. Then seek immediate emergency medical care because sometimes an anti-venom medication is required. Most bites occur between April and October.
