Yes, black widows can shelter in woodpiles because they like dark, dry, undisturbed spaces. They occur in New Jersey, although they’re less common in the northern part of the state.
It’s reasonable to worry about black widows because their bites require medical attention. They’re thankfully not very common in northern New Jersey. Still, it’s a good idea to know what to look for and what to do if one bites you.
The species common around here is the northern black widow. It’s more common in the southern and coastal parts of the state. But even saying that, they do often hide under woodpiles. Stacked logs are good places for black widows to hide because they are often at ground level and go undisturbed for months. This is also the same reason why woodpiles attract mice.
If you find a spider, you can identify a mature female black widow by seeing if the spider is glossy black with a red or orange hourglass on the underside of the abdomen. Sometimes the mark can be split into two separate spots. They tend to be about half an inch long and the web is often a messy and irregular tangle unlike what you might see made by a harmless orb weaver.
Bites are rare. They often happen because someone puts a hand somewhere they can’t see. The venom is medically significant and can cause pain, cramping, and sweating. Bites are seldom life-threatening in healthy adults and they are treatable. But if you're bitten by one, you need to seek medical attention.
To avoid being bitten, wear gloves when moving firewood and stones. Stack wood on a rack off the ground and away from the house. Bring only what you plan to burn inside that day. Never stack firewood indoors overnight. It’s also smart to shake out gloves and boots before you put them on if you store them outside.
If spiders are a concern around your property, Mosquito Squad of North Jersey can help. Mosquito Squad's home and yard coverage treats the foundation, storage areas, and entry points where spiders shelter. This will help you protect the parts of your property your family uses.
