Hampton Roads residents sometimes assume venomous spiders are a problem for other parts of the country. They're not — both black widows and brown recluse spiders are present throughout our area, and we remove them regularly as part of our spider control work. Knowing what you're dealing with and where to look is the starting point.
Black Widows in Hampton Roads
The Northern Black Widow is the species present in Virginia. The female is the one to know: shiny black body, about an inch and a half in leg span, with a red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. The males are smaller and less dangerous — black widow venom is primarily a concern with females. Black widows prefer dark, undisturbed locations: underneath decks and porches, inside crawlspaces, in wood piles, around outdoor storage areas, and inside unused structures like sheds. They're not aggressive — bites almost always happen when someone reaches into a space and makes direct contact.
Black widow venom is a neurotoxin. A bite causes immediate pain followed by muscle cramps, abdominal rigidity, sweating, and in severe cases, hypertension and difficulty breathing. If you're bitten, seek medical attention promptly. Antivenom is available and very effective. Deaths from black widow bites are rare in healthy adults but the bite should always be taken seriously.
Brown Recluse Spiders in Hampton Roads
Brown recluse spiders are small, tan to light brown, with a distinctive violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax (the fused head and body section). They're shy and, as the name suggests, reclusive — they hide in undisturbed areas inside homes: inside boxes stored in attics or garages, inside shoes or clothing that hasn't been worn in a while, behind baseboards, in wall voids. They rarely bite unless trapped against skin — which happens most often when someone puts on a shoe or glove without checking first.
Brown recluse venom is a hemotoxin that can cause necrotic tissue damage at the bite site. The wound may look minor initially and worsen over several days. Most bites heal without serious complications, but some require medical treatment. If you suspect a brown recluse bite, capture the spider if possible (in a sealed bag) and see a doctor.
What to Do If You Find One
Don't handle either species directly. If you find a black widow in a crawlspace or under a deck, contact a pest control professional. A single visible spider is often a sign of more in adjacent undisturbed areas — a thorough inspection and treatment is more effective than catching one individual. For brown recluses found inside the home, check adjacent areas carefully — inside closets, boxes in storage areas, and other undisturbed spots. Our spider control service includes web removal and targeted treatment in the areas where these spiders establish.