Brown Recluse & Black Widow Spiders in Oklahoma

About Brown Recluse & Black Widow Spiders in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is home to two venomous spiders that require serious attention: the brown recluse and the black widow. Brown recluses are tan to dark brown with a distinctive violin-shaped marking on their back, and are extremely common in Oklahoma — they hide in closets, boxes, shoes, and undisturbed clutter. Black widows are shiny black with a red hourglass marking on the abdomen and typically build webs in dark, sheltered areas like woodpiles, garages, and crawl spaces.

Signs of Infestation

• Webs in corners, under furniture, or in sheltered outdoor areas
• Egg sacs attached to webs — round, papery, off-white
• Finding spiders in shoes, gloves, or clothing left undisturbed
• Sighting of a violin-shaped marking (brown recluse) or red hourglass (black widow)
• Shed spider skins in undisturbed areas

Why They’re a Problem

Brown recluse bites can cause necrotic skin lesions that may require medical treatment and take weeks to heal. Black widow venom is a neurotoxin that can cause severe muscle pain, cramping, and in rare cases can be fatal — particularly in children and the elderly. Both species are common enough in Oklahoma that awareness and prevention are genuinely important.