Although only less than 1% of all spider species are potentially dangerous to humans, people tend to fear spiders due to their bizarre appearance. Arachnophobia, or fear of spiders, is widespread among children since spiders are often linked to eerie or haunted settings in popular culture. However, spiders and webs could make your home look shabby, which is why it is essential to control their population.
Moreover, some species of spiders are known to be venomous. Therefore, if you feel the spiders in your home could be dangerous, you must consult with a professional like Brooks Pest Control.
Signs of spider infestation
Spiders are found throughout California, but infestations peak during the fall. Fall is the mating season for spiders, which is why you’ll see a sudden spike in the number of spiders during this time. The following are some common signs of spider infestation.
- Look for spider webs in the corners and roof of your house. If you see several inside your home, you are witnessing a spider infestation.
- You may also want to check crevices, cracks, and the outdoors, as some spiders prefer to live in burrows or hidden spaces rather than build a web.
- Some species of spider prefer to dwell in dark and moist spaces. Therefore, you must also check the basement, shed, storage boxes, etc.
- Spiders also prefer attics, wall and ceiling junctions, closets, etc., to build their webs.
- Spiders feed on small insects like flies, ants, woodlice, etc. So, if your house has a plentiful population of other insects, it will naturally lure spiders due to the abundance of food.
- Spiders lay hundreds of eggs at once, which are fixed on the surface and hidden inside the sack of webs. If you spot them inside your home, it could indicate a spider infestation.
Spider species to watch out for in California.
While most spider species in California are harmless to humans, some are known to ingest venom through their bites. The following are the most venomous spider species in California that you must get rid of as early as possible, or else they could harm you.
- Western back widow spiders: Western black widow spiders are found throughout the western regions of North America. They can be easily spotted with their jet-black color and an hourglass mark on the lower abdomen, which is mostly red but can also be white or yellow. A black widow’s bite can be fatal if you do not get medical attention in a timely manner.
- Brown widow spiders: Brown widow spiders closely resemble the black widows, but they are slightly smaller in size and colored light to dark brown or dark grayish. While brown widows are also infamous for their bites, they are not as painful or toxic as those of a black widow.
- Yellow sac spiders: Yellow sac spiders are beige or brown-colored spiders with black or dark brown markings on the abdomen with orange-brown stripes. They are venomous and can cause swelling and itching.
- Desert recluse spiders: Desert recluse spiders are found in the eastern deserts of California. They are yellow or tan in color, with a violin-shaped marking on the back and a light brown abdomen. Their bites can cause lesions and other serious symptoms.
- Chilean recluse spider: Chilean recluse spiders are native to South America but can also be found in Southern California and Los Angeles. They are brown in color and have a violin-shaped mark on the thorax, just like desert recluse spiders. They contain a dangerous neurotoxin called Sphingomyelinase D.
Ways to remove spiders
If it’s not a heavy infestation, you can easily remove spiders using the following methods.
- Vacuum cracks and corners to reduce spider population
- You can also swat the spiders with a fly swatter.
- Repair crevices and cracks and spray them with pesticides to remove spiders
- Use herbal and organic pesticides.
- Use sticky traps
- Remove webs with a broom.
While most spiders are not venomous and can help control the population of other insects, they can still give your house a dirty appearance. Therefore, you need to remove them with care, as their bites can cause irritation and infection.
