US States That Don’t Have Black Widow Spiders

Animals Around The Globe
4 min readMay 25, 2024

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While Black Widow spiders are widespread across the United States, there are some states where they are less common or not typically found. Here’s a look at the states where encountering a Black Widow spider is unlikely.

Black Widow Spider Bite

black widow bite

A bite from a Black Widow spider can be painful and cause significant discomfort, it is rarely threatening. Prompt medical treatment can effectively manage symptoms and ensure a full recovery. By taking simple precautions, the risk of being bitten by a Black Widow spider can be minimized.

Alaska

Denali (also known as Mount McKinley, its former official name) is the highest mountain in North America at 20,310ft. Located in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA. Image via Depositphotos.

Due to its cold climate, Alaska does not provide a suitable habitat for Black Widow spiders, making them extremely rare in this state.

Hawaii

Island in Hawaii
Island in Hawaii
The big island in Hawaii. Image via Sajith T S, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hawaii’s isolated location and unique ecosystem mean that Black Widow spiders are not native to the islands and are rarely encountered.

Maine

Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park, Maine, USA. Via Depositphotos

The cooler climate of Maine makes it an inhospitable environment for Black Widow spiders, and they are not commonly found here.

New Hampshire

A burning sky over Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.
A burning sky over Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.
A burning sky over Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. Image: Unsplash

Similar to Maine, New Hampshire’s colder weather conditions are not conducive to Black Widow spider populations.

Vermont

black widow bite. depositphotos

The state of Vermont also has a climate that is generally too cool for Black Widow spiders to thrive.

North Dakota

north dakota
north dakota
north dakota. unsplash

Black Widow spiders are uncommon in North Dakota, largely due to the state’s colder temperatures.

South Dakota

Black Widow Spider. Chuck Evans(mcevan)”., CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Black Widow Spider. Chuck Evans(mcevan)”., CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Black Widow Spider. Chuck Evans(mcevan)”., CC BY 2.5 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Like its northern counterpart, South Dakota does not typically support populations of Black Widow spiders because of its climate.

Montana

Beautiful evening sunset in Glacier National Park, Montana. Image by snehitdesign on depositphotos.

Montana’s cooler climate and high elevations make it an unlikely place to find Black Widow spiders.

Minnesota

black widow bite
black widow bite
Black widow spider. Image by Adrian Valverde via Unsplash

The cold winters in Minnesota prevent Black Widow spiders from establishing significant populations.

Wisconsin

River
River
Blue river in Wisconsin. Image via Downspec, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Wisconsin’s climate is generally too cold for Black Widow spiders to thrive, making them uncommon in the state.

Black Widow Spider Summary

Black Widow Spider 
Black Widow Spider 
Black Widow Spider . Pixabay.

While these states are less likely to have Black Widow spiders, it’s important to note that spiders can occasionally be transported through human activity. Therefore, while sightings are rare, they are not entirely impossible.

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Animals Around The Globe
Animals Around The Globe

Written by Animals Around The Globe

Daily Animal News & Expert Insights. We share the most unique animal experiences, stories and viral videos from around the world, vetted by biologists and vets

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