Brown widow spiders spotted at St. Augustine playground

Parents are being warned about venomous brown widows that were spotted at Vaill Point Park in St. Augustine.

George Richardson of Peninsular Pest Control showed Action News Jax six different clusters of brown widow spider eggs.

It’s easy to tell them apart because of the spikey protrusions instead of a smoother looking egg sac created by black widows.

Richardson said each cluster could hold up to 120 spiderlings.

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“It is the perfect home for them,” said Richardson.

The spider eggs were spotted Thursday underneath a bench at the St. Augustine park.

One parent posted a photo of the egg sacs on Facebook as a warning.

The playground is not far from a wooded area which Richardson said provides the spiders with a food source.

It wasn’t long before he found not one but two brown widow spiders both were hanging under another nearby bench.

He said the venom of a brown widow is more toxic than its black cousin but there’s no need to be alarmed.

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“However, they don’t normally put as much venom in their bite,” said Richardson.

Richardson said pregnant women should especially keep an eye out to avoid being bitten.

“It can be more serious for pregnant ladies than it would be for a male,” said Richardson.

The egg clusters Richardson found Friday had already hatched.

As a rule of thumb, he said if you see a spider web, it’s best to avoid that area.

The good news is that a bite from one of these spiders is rare. Richardson said you’re more likely to be bitten by a honey bee or mosquito.

Cox Media Group