The black widow spider’s notoriety is not without foundation. However, an element of exaggeration has led to certain 1CONCEPT regarding its evil nature. Firstly, this spider is not as dangerous as is often thought. While it is indeed one of the most 2VENOM species of spider, its venom being fifteen times stronger than that of the prairie rattlesnake, its bite injects such a small amount of venom by 3COMPARE that it is unlikely to kill humans. In fact, 4FATAL are rare. Black widows bite only if they are touched or their web is threatened. Furthermore, only the adult female is poisonous. Those most at risk from the female are the spider’s natural prey — insects – and male black widow spiders. The latter are vulnerable as the female is 5SOLITUDE by nature, and has been known to kill and eat the male after mating. Such 6OCCUR are rare, but they explain how the spider got its name — and its reputation. Nevertheless, the 7PLEASE effects of this spider’s bite should not be 8ESTIMATE, and if you live in a temperate climate and have a fireplace in your home, it is advisable to take precautions Black widow spiders often inhabit wood piles, so you should wear gloves when handling firewood. Furthermore, since black widow spiders are resistant to many insecticides, you should regularly clean out likely hiding places.