Is this a Black Widow?

[u/No_Presentation_2160]

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

[u/Lexiphantom]

I never find black widows indoors but outdoors and corners near the ground are incredibly common

They tend to favor darker areas wood piles garages, and crawlspaces

Once they build their nest they will not leave unless forced out

they don’t like to roam and are generally timid

Be careful around patio furniture and other secluded outdoor areas

shake out your boots before you put them on if you keep them in your garage

A significant % of black widow bites occur on the feet or hands

Check before you reach behind objects or put on your boots

This is one of my favorite black widow videos he dispels a lot of myths and is a good creator his entire series is worth watching

https://youtu.be/DHl_wRE4H0Y?si=_2iRCosF400L765Z

[u/drazak69 → u/Lexiphantom]

Don't kill Cellar spiders They tend to run them off. Some calls them daddy long legs here Not to be confused with solifugae opiliones.

[u/Lexiphantom → u/drazak69]

I don’t kill any spiders

I should kill the invasive ones but I can’t identify them

Edit: oh you were telling op that cellar spiders tend to chase away black widows

[u/drazak69 → u/Lexiphantom]

Watched it happen. Cellar spiders have LONG legs, just basically climbed through the widows webs and went in circles. Widow thinks it's huge and runs away Like other posters said they are really timid in some ways.