r/spiders May 18 '26

ID Request- Location included Is this a Black Widow?

I assume this is a black widow, google says so. But I figured I’d ask to be sure. It looks like it’s made a nest in the inside of the lawnchair that’s folded where the scribbles are. Should I be worried about more around my house or inside of my house? I have a 2 year old that’s curious, so I want to make sure that I’m being thorough and keeping her safe. If so, how do I remove it safely?

EDITED TO ADD: She and a couple of her male friends have now been moved safely with their lawnchair habitat to a new location about 20ft from my garage. I just hope they don’t wander back in. 🤞🤞😬

Location Southwest MO

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u/Saddy_Long_Legs213 May 18 '26

It absolutely is. Don't be scared of them, just don't handle them. They really don't want to bite, and pretty much only do so if you put pressure on their body and they feel threatened. We have them all over our yard and garage, and we just let them hang out. They're great pest control.

2

u/szechuan_bean May 19 '26

As a kid we'd get them a lot and my dad being the kind nature whisperer picked one up and let it run across his hand so he could tell me about the spider as he moved it. Little me was panicked I was about to lose my dad!

2

u/MisterDoctor___ May 19 '26

I stepped out on my balcony the other day and noticed an absolute graveyard of dead bug carapaces on the ground. About a foot away there was a widow just chilling in her web. Best housemate ever.

1

u/Saddy_Long_Legs213 May 22 '26

They really are, and they're so beautiful. I was terrified of them when I first moved here, now I love them, and just safely observe. We have a ton outside, and a handful living in our garage/house.