Though spiders may seem ominous and are feared by most, the majority of arachnids in the United States are completely harmless.  However, there are two spiders commonly found throughout the country that are venomous and should be treated with extreme caution; the black widow and the brown recluse.

There are a few different species of black widows that can be found in the US. The southern, northern and western black widow are all prevalent.  These spiders are most frequently found in southern and western areas.

black widow spider-note the distinct red, hourglass-shaped marking http://www.flickr.com/photos/oakleyoriginals/4553249422/

When most people think about black widows they think of the red hourglass shape known to characterize these critters.  Continue reading →