Mediterranean Black Widow

Where it lives in Maltese properties

Rubble walls, stone piles, dry garigue and field margins, under stones, in disused pipes and irrigation boxes. Builds an untidy tangled web close to the ground.

Signs of an infestation

You will usually notice the evidence long before you see the pest itself. Look for:

• A glossy black spider with red or orange dots on the abdomen
• Untidy irregular webs low down in stonework and among rocks
• Round pale-brown silk egg sacs in the web
• Most often found while clearing rubble, walls or field terraces

Why it matters

The risks associated with Mediterranean black widow in Malta:

• Bite causes latrodectism: intense pain, cramps, sweating and nausea
• Requires prompt medical attention, though fatalities are effectively unknown
• Risk to farm and construction workers handling stone and rubble
• Bites in bedding are extremely rare but occur where clothing is left outdoors

How to prevent it

Prevention is always cheaper than treatment, and for this species it is genuinely effective:

• Wear gloves when moving stones, rubble and stored materials
• Shake out clothing, boots and gloves left outdoors overnight
• Keep stone and timber piles away from the house and off the ground
• Clear rubbish and debris from field boundaries
• Seal gaps into garages and outbuildings

How we treat Mediterranean black widow

We survey harbourage areas, physically remove webs and egg sacs, and apply a targeted residual treatment to wall voids, rubble and perimeter harbourage rather than broadcasting insecticide across the garden. Advice on tidying and storage usually does more than chemistry, and we set out a practical plan for the site.