Arthropod Safety

Only the female spider is venomous. Although not aggressive, the black widow is very secretive, and is usually encountered unexpectedly. They hide under rocks, logs, and other debris. They are also commonly found in the foxholes and amongst the sandbags on our firing ranges. Their bite may be painful at first, or may go unnoticed. Pain and swelling will usually follow. The venom causes nausea, cramping, loss of coordination, and difficulty breathing. Death may occur in individuals hypersensitive to the venom, or very young or old persons.

First Aid:

Clean the site well with soap and water.

Apply a cool compress over the bite location and keep the affected limb elevated to about heart level.

Contact medical personnel immediately. Treatment in a medical facility may be necessary for children less than 5 years old or for adults with severe symptoms.


Although not normally found in Virginia, brown recluse spiders may be accidentally transported as stow aways in boxes or other objects in which they hide during the day. The possibility of encountering one on Ft. Pickett is quite remote.