A Guide to Common Spiders Found in Southern California
Southern California's warm climate means plenty of insects, which draws plenty of species of spiders to prey upon them. While most spiders pose no threat to humans, some bites can be painful or cause reactions.
By learning how to identify local spiders and proper precautions around them, these arachnids can coexist peacefully with residents.
Spider Bites
Though many fear spider bites, the vast majority of species have fangs too small or weak to pierce human skin. Plus, spiders rarely bite people unless provoked or unintentionally trapped against bare skin.
Spider bites usually feel like bee stings – painful punctures or tiny pinpricks. Redness and mild swelling often forms around the bite.
On very rare occasions, bites trigger severe reactions, significant skin breakdown, or illness requiring medical care. Venoms can also vary in toxicity between spider species and even between same-species spiders.
Common Spider Groups in Southern California
Southern California is home to hundreds of spider species living amongst residents. Here's an overview of some of the most notable groups:
Jumping Spiders
Distinct for their ability to leap impressive distances, jumping spiders comprise over 500 California species alone. Despite the name, most max out under 1/2 inch long.
Their large front eyes provide excellent vision to stalk insect prey. Jumping spiders lack silk webbing and instead pounce on victims. Though they might startle folks, these spiders are harmless.
Orb Weavers
Orb weaver spiders use silk to spin elaborate, circular webs for catching flying insects. Over 40 species are found regionally.
Females average just .2 to .8 inches but can span 2 inches counting leg span. These web builders typically reside outdoors and steer clear of humans.
Sac Spiders
Cheiracanthium spiders earned the “sac spider” nickname from silk egg sacs dotting their webs. They populate many homes hunting other insects inside.
Bites are rare and mild but may cause short-lived skin irritation or swelling. Disturbed sac spiders could bite defensively.
Cellar Spiders
Long, spindly cellar spiders frequently inhabit Southern California buildings, constructing messy-looking webs in corners of basements and cellars.
Leg spans reach up to 2 inches but bodies remain tiny. These timid spiders flee or play dead when disturbed and essentially never bite.
Tarantulas
Though tarantulas conjure scary images, these furry spiders are gentle giants, especially in California. The regional species average 3-4 inches long including leg span.
Bites from agitated tarantulas may sting and cause temporary pain, but serious effects are very uncommon from native species.
Black Widow Spiders
The black widow may be California’s most infamous spider with the reputation of having dangerous venom. Females have distinctive red hourglass patterns on their spherical black bodies.
These shy nocturnal spiders typically live outside in dark undisturbed areas but sometimes wander indoors. While rare, bites can require medical care, especially for children.
Brown Recluse Spiders
While no brown recluse populations live in California, these venomous spiders do very occasionally hitchhike inside on out-of-state products.
If discovered and positively identified, it's important to capture and remove brown recluses rather than use home pesticides against them.
Spider Bite First Aid
Most spider bites require little or no treatment beyond basic first aid care:
- Clean the bite area gently with mild soap and water.
- Apply a cool compress to relieve swelling and discomfort.
- Elevate the bite location if possible to slow venom spread.
- Avoid scratching bites as this may increase skin reactions.
- Watch closely for signs of infection like worsening redness, heat, swelling or pus over the next few days.
Over-the-counter analgesics like ibuprofen help ease bite pain and inflammation for most people. Topical antibiotic creams discourage infection in broken skin.
See a doctor for spider bites involving:
- Intense thrashing pain spreading from the bite.
- Nausea, fever, or headaches after the bite.
- An oozing, ulcerating wound at the bite.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Other concerning symptoms present.
Healthcare providers may clean the bite more thoroughly, administer anti-venom medication in serious cases, and provide antibiotics or steroid injections as needed.
Preventing Spider Bites and Infestations
Practicing proper bite prevention and spider deterrence helps limit risks in homes:
Clear Clutter
Spiders thrive in wood or brush piles, cluttered sheds, and yards overflowing with debris they use for hiding and building shelters.
Keep your property tidy by raking debris frequently, clearing long grasses and weeds around the foundation, and stacking firewood up off the ground.
Seal Up Entry Points
Gaps under doors, around windows, and at pipe penetrations provide easy access for spiders to sneak inside. Apply weatherstripping and seal openings with caulk to blockSPIDER spider pathways.
Install Exterior Lighting
Installing motion sensor flood lights or sodium vapor lamps facing outward deters spiders from building nests and webs on exterior walls near doors and windows.
Limit Hiding Spots Indoors
Inside, spiders crawl into undisturbed closet corners, furniture voids, crawl spaces, and wall cracks to spin webs and hide.
Decluttering indoor spaces provides fewer harborage areas. Sticky traps monitor for spiders and catch wanderers traversing open floors.
Vacuum Regularly
Use a hose attachment to vacuum corners, along baseboards, under furniture edges, and around window frames where spiders may lurk. This removes webs and eggs sacs before they can flourish.
Utilize Natural Spider Repellents
Some plants like garlic, mint, citrus and onions contain oils that naturally repel spiders when rubbed onto windows, door frames and other surfaces.
When to Call for Professional Spider Control
Extensive spider infestations involving multiple recurring spiders like black widows may require professional pest control.
Technicians have commercial-grade synthetic and botanical treatments to apply along exterior foundation walls and potential entry routes.
They use nontoxic dusts and gels containing insect growth regulators that gradually kill spiders over several days. This avoids abrupt die-offs that could lead their prey (other bugs) to temporarily spike indoors.
For indoor spider issues, specialists carefully apply tiny amounts of liquid or aerosol products into cracks, void spaces, under appliances, and other tricky areas. Ongoing preventative service keeps populations suppressed.
With proper identification and smart prevention, residents can coexist relatively safely with their eight-legged neighbors outside. But don't hesitate to call for backup facing expanding indoor spider woes.
FAQs
What kind of spiders live in Southern California homes?
Common household spiders in SoCal include sac spiders, cellar spiders, American house spiders, and occasionally black widows. Most don't pose any danger but black widows have more toxic venom requiring medical care if bitten.
What does a black widow spider bite feel like?
Black widow bites cause immediate pain similar to a pinprick or bee sting at the bite site. Pain and swelling then spreads, sometimes causing muscle cramps, nausea, and general sickness. Seek medical care if bitten.
How do I get rid of spiders outside my home?
Use debris removal, caulk sealing, appropriate lighting, clutter control, plant oil repellents, and vacuuming to make your home exterior less inviting to spiders. For expanding populations, contact a professional pest control company.
Are daddy longlegs spiders poisonous?
Despite rumors, daddy longlegs spiders do have venom but cannot bite through human skin. So while they may look scary, they pose no danger at all to people. They actually help by preying on more pest-like bugs.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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