Common types of California spiders

California is home to a variety of spiders - a fact you might know from a personal (and perhaps frightening) encounter with one of these arachnids. Spiders might scare you, but don’t worry - it’s our duty to instruct you on the ins and outs of some of these pests you might see.

The following creatures are examples of spiders in California:

• Tarantula
• Black widow spider
• Cellar spider
• Brown widow spider
• False black widow spider
• Yellow sac spider
• Orb weaver spider
• Wolf spider
• Garden spider
• Grass spider

Whether you live in Los Angeles or San Francisco or elsewhere in the Golden State, we will help you understand the basic facts about some commonly encountered California spiders. And don’t forget - if spiders have taken up residence in or around your property, contact Western Exterminator online or call us at 800-937-8398 and we’ll help tackle your issues.

Venomous spiders in California

A few types of venomous spiders can be found in California. These spiders are the black widow spider, brown widow spider and yellow sac spider, along with the desert recluse spider and the Chilean recluse spider (both the desert recluse and Chilean recluse are in southern California). Below, find more information about two of these spiders - the black widow and brown widow.

Black widow spider

The black widow spider has a nasty reputation, so if you’re a California resident, you should learn how to identify it. You may think female black widow spiders consume the males after they mate, but this hardly ever occurs (although this is where the common name of widow spiders comes from).

In California, you may run into the western black widow spider (latrodectus hesperus). Females are dark in color (they are typically black but can also be dark brown). Males are generally not black and are smaller than the females. Adult western black widow females are 5/16 to 5/8 inches in length. The abdomen of the western black widow female has an hourglass-shaped mark that’s usually red or orange. Western black widows are typically located in shielded, dry spots such as hollow stumps, sheds and barns.

You might be concerned about the black widow spider’s poisonous bite. Know that male black widow spiders hardly ever bite, but females will bite to defend themselves - particularly when they are protecting their eggs. If you are bitten, you may or may not feel a pinprick. The pain typically comes nearly right away, though. You may also experience swelling and redness. High blood pressure, nausea and sweating are possible, among other symptoms. Get medical attention right away if a black widow spider bites you.

Have you seen black widow spiders around your property or do you suspect they’re around? You should reach out to a pest professional as soon as possible. Contact Western Exterminator to fight the problem.

Brown widow spider

Did you know the black widow isn’t the only widow spider out there? Brown widow spiders have come into areas of Southern California in recent years, so here’s your chance to learn more about them.

The brown widow spider is brown or grayish-brown in color. The abdomen has three white spots. It has an hourglass mark that’s yellow to orange. A baby brown widow spider can look a bit like a baby black widow spider, but the very young brown widow spiders are colored with more brown. Also, grown brown widow spiders look like immature western black widow spiders - so you need to be careful when trying to identify the type of spider.

You won’t likely see brown widows inside your home - rather, they can be found at places that have more exposure (under eaves, for example). Keep in mind that brown widow spiders are venomous; however, the brown widow bite is not likely to be as severe as the black widow bite. A brown widow’s bite can result in pain and a red mark, but if more serious symptoms crop up, get medical attention.

Cellar spider

Have you observed a spider with really long legs? It may have been a long-bodied cellar spider. Cellar spiders get their name because they are often found in damp, dark locations such as cellars.

The long-bodied cellar spider adult is typically pale yellowish to light brown or gray in color. Their legs are thin and long. The bodies of adult females are about ¼ to 5/16 inches in length, whereas males’ bodies are about ¼ inches in length. Do not mistake long-bodied cellar spiders for harvestmen, which are also arachnids but are not actually spiders.

You may find a cellar spider web in your basement or cellar, or in a corner of your garage. Despite the cellar spider’s somewhat eerie appearance, this spider isn’t likely to hurt you. Still, eliminating its webs can turn into an annoyance. Cellar spiders do not eliminate their webs; rather, they tack new webbing on to existing webbing. Cellar spider webs are frequently located in corners.

The long-bodied cellar spider female can make three egg sacs (the sacs each have 13 to 60 eggs). It typically takes about one year for a cellar spider to become mature.

If you’re seeing a lot of cellar spiders at your home or business, contact Western Exterminator to find a fitting control solution for these pests.

Spiders in California home? Call your local experts

Western Exterminator can help do away with spiders that are infesting your California property. Our experts can also help you know how to hinder them from coming back. If you think (or know) that you’ve got a spider problem, get in touch with us today.