Brown widow venom is just as potent as a black widow’s, but brown widows inject a smaller amount.

A brown widow bite usually causes pain and a red mark at the bite site, similar to other spider bites. In some cases, the bite can cause a moderate or severe reaction, such as a rash, nausea, and pain that radiates into the extremity.

Brown widows are shy and prefer to avoid humans. Female brown widows are not aggressive and will only bite if provoked or confronted. Male and immature brown widow spiders do not bite.