Everyone encounters spiders in their home sooner or later. If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to walk through a spider web, you know that these pests can be frustrating. But really, the spiders in your house would prefer to stay out of your way and usually aren’t much of a nuisance. Not all spiders are harmless, though, so for your own wellbeing, it’s good to know about the dangerous spiders in San Diego.
About Spiders In San Diego
Here’s the bad news: almost all spiders are venomous and have fangs. The good news is that most spider venom isn’t powerful enough to harm you and the vast majority of spiders would rather run and hide than bite.
There are a few common household spiders in San Diego you should be familiar with:
House spiders: House spiders measure between 1/8 and 1/4 inch in length and come in many colors. They can be recognized by their elongated bodies and striped legs.
Wolf spiders: Varying in color from gray to brown, wolf spiders measure between ½ inch and over 1 inch in length. With thick legs and hairy bodies, they are often compared to small tarantulas.
Jumping spiders: Averaging about 3/8 inch in size, jumping spiders can be recognized by their bright colors and patterns. They have especially powerful eyes, arranged in pairs of two.
These species can bite, but the result will usually be just some localized pain and swelling—similar to a bee sting, at worst. Only individuals with spider allergies are vulnerable to these common spiders. But there are a few more threatening spiders in the area.
Are There Dangerous Spiders In San Diego?
Although not incredibly common, dangerous spiders are known to inhabit homes in San Diego. You’re probably familiar with the black widow and the brown recluse, or at least their deadly reputation.
Brown recluse spiders: Brown recluse spiders can be recognized by a violin-like pattern on their backs. However, several species share this trait and are often confused for brown recluse spiders. A true brown recluse usually measures about ½ inch in length and has single-color legs and abdomen without a pattern.
Brown recluse spiders create disorganized webs in dark areas where they won’t be disturbed. They can be found in attics, crawlspaces, closets, and storage boxes.
Black widow spiders: Black widow spiders typically measure about 1 ½ inch in length and have particularly round abdomens. Females are jet black with a red hourglass pattern on their underside, while males have a striped or spotted pattern.
Like brown recluse spiders, black widow spiders tend to weave messy webs in secluded areas with little human traffic, such as basement corners and outdoor woodpiles. They are often confused for the false black widow spider which has a similar shape but lacks the red hourglass pattern.
Bites from these spiders can be harmful, especially to children and seniors. If you suspect you’ve been bitten, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
How To Prevent Spiders
You can take a few simple steps to reduce the presence of spiders around your home:
- Control other pests. Make your home less attractive to the bugs that spiders feed on. Regularly clean up the areas where you eat and cook, and store food in airtight containers. Dispose of trash in tightly sealed bins and don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink.
- Clear away clutter. Reduce cluttered areas where spiders can hide. Consider removing piles of wood or stone in your yard, as well as any clutter in your basement or attic.
- Reduce moisture. Check drains and gutters for any blockage that could cause moisture to accumulate. Fix any leaking pipes or faucets. Try installing a dehumidifier in your basement.
- Close off entrances. Inspect your home for any cracks in the foundation or gaps around pipes where spiders can get in and seal with caulk. Replace damaged weather stripping and door sweeps as needed.
If there are too many spiders hanging around your home, you don’t have to deal with the problem on your own. Get in touch with the professionals at Allswell Here for the help you need. Our holistic, eco-friendly approach to residential pest control means the best possible results for your home environment. We’ll work with you to create the best plan possible to eliminate your spider problem, and our services are 100% guaranteed. Contact us today!