You should always wear gloves when working in the garden, not just to lessen your chances of a blister here or there, or a splinter, but you never know what might be lurking around under that rock or log you’re about to lift. While rearranging our herb gardens yesterday and moving rocks around in the process I picked up the largest of one corner in order to make a new garden on the other side. I walked about ten feet with the rock and flipped it over in the psot where I wanted it and noticed two plump black spiders on the underside. At first getting a closer look I realized I had never encountered these spiders before and went to grab something to contain them. When I returned, the smaller of the two had gotten away but I managed to get the larger of the two into a ziplock bag. I looked around and finally found the other one scurrying underneath the rock again and put him into his own bag realizing that what I may have found were indeed Black Widow spiders. After getting them both into the bags I looked on their bellies to find the red hourglass defining detail.
Male Black Widow Spider (click to enlarge)
Female Black Widow Spider (click to enlarge)
At this point I am sure most would be ready to kill them, but while I don’t want them inhabiting my gardens I felt no need to crush them. I looked for more, after putting my gloves on, and found no egg sac. I need some type of natural, organic remedy for their locating in my oregano. I don’t think I want those in my marinara.
Today I took them on a trip to a secluded creek and released them, the male a good distance from the female but only after telling him, “She’s not worth it, man. Just walk away.” Yeah, I talk to bugs.
I had a big bush in front of my house that housed a gargantuan female black widow spider. I had it uprooted and made the area into a nice manageable flower bed. No more spider, but I still wear my gloves…no telling where else they may linger.
Great blog you have here!
I’ve got spiders all over my yard. They don’t really bother me or get in the way. As long as they mind their own business they can do as they please.
You know, I think those might be two female black widow spiders. Male black widows are most often not black, and do not usually have red markings. Also, I have seem some female black widows that are smaller than average.
Of course, then, I don’t know that for sure. And why would they be together, if both were female?