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Brown Widow (Latrodectus geometricus)
Identify it, prevent it, and know when to call. A South Florida guide from Pro-Spray.
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What Is a Brown Widow?
The brown widow is one of the most common spiders around South Florida homes. It's a widow spider, related to the black widow, and has become widespread across Florida and other warm regions. Brown widows are usually shy and would rather retreat than bite, but they build webs in spots where people put their hands, like under chair arms, inside mailboxes and on the undersides of railings.
How to Identify Them
Female brown widows have a round abdomen with a mottled tan, brown and black pattern and an orange or yellow hourglass on the underside. Their legs are banded. The easiest way to confirm one is by its egg sacs: round, tan and covered in small spikes, often described as looking like a tiny burr or sea mine. Black widow egg sacs are smooth.
Common look-alikes:
- Southern black widow: glossy black with a red hourglass and smooth egg sacs. See our southern black widow page.
- Common house spider: similar shape and web style, but no hourglass. See house spider.
Life Cycle and Habits
Females produce several spiky egg sacs, each holding many eggs, and hang them in their webs. Spiderlings disperse after hatching. Brown widows hunt small insects that blunder into their tangled webs. They tend to stay in the same sheltered spot for long periods, so one under a patio table may be there for weeks.
Signs of Brown Widows
- Tangled, irregular webs in protected corners outdoors
- Spiky, round egg sacs under furniture, railings and eaves
- Spiders hiding in mailboxes, gas meters, irrigation boxes or garage shelves
- Webs on children's play sets, strollers and pool equipment
Is it dangerous?
Venomous, but rarely bites and bites are generally less serious than a black widow's.
Why They're So Common Here
Year-round warmth and constant insect activity mean there's always food. Outdoor furniture, screen enclosures, fences, mailboxes and stacked pots give endless sheltered corners. They're also common in garages where doors are left open.
Bite Safety
Brown widows rarely bite unless pressed against the skin. If you're bitten, wash the area, apply a cold pack and watch for symptoms like spreading pain, muscle cramps or nausea. Seek medical care if symptoms are more than mild or if the person bitten is a young child, older adult or has health conditions. Bring a photo of the spider if you can.
Prevention Tips
- Wear gloves when gardening or moving stored items.
- Check under patio chair arms and tables before sitting.
- Knock down webs and egg sacs with a broom regularly.
- Shake out shoes, gloves and toys left outside.
- Reduce clutter around the house, especially stacked pots and lumber.
- Switch to yellow outdoor bulbs to attract fewer insects for spiders to eat.
How Pro-Spray Treats Brown Widows
We inspect the exterior, lanais, fences, eaves, mailboxes, play areas and garage, remove webs and egg sacs, and treat the harborage areas and perimeter where spiders and the insects they feed on travel. Regular quarterly service keeps webs down and reduces the insects that draw spiders in.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are brown widows dangerous?
What are the spiky balls under my patio chair?
Are brown widows more dangerous than black widows?
Why are there so many widow spiders in my mailbox?
Reviewed October 2026 by Pro-Spray's family-run team
Pests don't wait.
Protect your home today.
Get $50 OFF your first pest service and a FREE inspection & estimate. Ongoing protection is $125 quarterly (about $42/month), with no contracts and no cancellation fees.
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