Ummm... Kurt? I live in Baton Rouge and Black Widows are VERY common here!
In fact, they're prolific!
We moved here from Arkansas where Brown Recluses are more prevalent and were SHOCKED at how many Black Widows we have seen. Talking to our builders who grew up in Amite, they are very common in SE Louisiana.
We battle them every year and are REALLY careful about reaching into dark, quiet corners.
Erica, those just sound so strange! I don't think I've ever seen anything like that. Good luck!