Deadly Black Widow Spiders Found on Fruit in Minnesota and Wisconsin

Minnesota and Wisconsin are two of the four states reporting black widow spiders in supermarkets and even at home. Found mostly in grapes, the deadly black widow spider is easily identified by a red marking on the spiders abdomen.

According to an article in the Food Safety News, four states, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Missouri have all had close call with the black widow. The spiders often build their webs in grape vineyards, and their bite can often be fatal, especially in small children and the elderly.

Check your grapes carefully, especially before and after you wash them. Supermarkets in our area are also on the lookout for the deadly spider. Supermarket chains in Milwaukee have opted to remove all grapes from it's stores.