Black widows are venomous spiders whose bites can be painful and, in rare cases, serious, but deaths are exceedingly uncommon, especially for healthy adults. The overall risk to most people is low, and bites are typically manageably treated with medical care. Key points
- Who is at risk: Young children, the elderly, and people with weakened health may experience more severe symptoms. For healthy adults, bites often cause localized pain, muscle cramps, and some systemic symptoms that are usually non-lethal with proper treatment. Only female black widows are known to have medically significant bites; males are less dangerous.
- Typical bite and symptoms: A bite can cause intense pain at the site, muscle spasms, abdominal cramping, and flu-like symptoms. In many cases, a bite may be a “dry bite” with minimal venom, or symptoms may be mild. Emergency care is advised if severe symptoms develop.
- Fatality risk: In the United States, black widow bites have very few fatalities in modern times, with the last widely reported U.S. fatality dating back several decades. Modern medical care and antivenom (for severe cases) reduce the risk substantially.
- How dangerous they are in practice: Black widows are shy and tend to bite only in self-defense if disturbed or trapped. They are not aggressive toward people, and bites usually occur when clothing or skin comes into contact with them.
- Geographic and species notes: The genus Latrodectus includes several related species commonly called widow spiders, with varying levels of human risk. Overall, bites from these spiders can be dangerous but are rarely fatal when treated promptly.
Practical guidance if you encounter one
- Do not handle or provoke them. If found indoors, carefully capture or relocate with protective gloves and tools, or contact pest control.
- If bitten: wash the area, apply cold compresses for pain relief, and seek medical evaluation, especially if severe pain, facial or throat swelling, weakness, or breathing difficulties occur. Antivenom targets severe systemic symptoms when needed.
Bottom line
- Black widows can deliver a harmful bite, but fatalities are extremely rare in healthy individuals, and most bites are not life-threatening with timely medical care. The biggest risk is for children, the elderly, or those with underlying health issues, and for bites that go untreated or become severe.
