Spiders common in Arcadia
- Western black widow
- Shiny black with a red hourglass under the abdomen. Builds messy, strong webs in dark, sheltered spots: garages, meter boxes, block wall holes, under patio furniture. Its bite is venomous and needs medical attention.
- Brown widow
- Tan to brown with an orange hourglass. Now very common across Southern California. Egg sacs are round with small spikes, like a burr. Its venom is considered less dangerous than the black widow's, but bites still hurt.
- Cellar spiders
- Thin, long-legged spiders in ceiling corners and garages. Harmless.
- Jumping spiders and wolf spiders
- Common in gardens and occasionally indoors. Not dangerous to people.
Brown recluse spiders are not native to California and are very rarely found here. Many spiders get mistaken for them.
Why Arcadia homes get spiders
Spiders follow food. Homes with porch lights that draw moths and beetles, ant trails and plenty of cover in the yard support more spiders. North Arcadia properties near the foothills and canyon edge tend to see more because of the brush and wildlife next door. Block walls, which are common around Arcadia yards, have hollow spaces that widows love.
Seeing this at your place right now? A local technician can talk it through with you on the phone.
Call (626) 555-0142Our spider control process
Inspection
Call (626) 555-0142. The technician checks the garage, eaves, patio, block walls, pool equipment and outdoor storage.
Web and egg sac removal
Webs and egg sacs are removed by hand or with a web brush. Removing egg sacs stops the next generation.
Targeted treatment
Products are applied to cracks, eaves, garage corners and block walls where spiders hide.
Address the food source
If ants, crickets or other insects are drawing spiders in, they get treated too. See ant control.
Reducing spiders around the house
- Wear gloves when reaching into the garage, wood piles or meter boxes.
- Shake out shoes, gloves and outdoor cushions that have been sitting.
- Switch outdoor lights to yellow bulbs that draw fewer insects.
- Store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes.
- Keep plants and wood piles away from walls.
Spider control FAQ
What should I do if a black widow bites me?
Wash the area, apply a cold pack and call your doctor or poison control right away. Seek emergency care for severe pain, cramping or trouble breathing.
Are brown widows taking over from black widows?
In many Southern California neighborhoods, brown widows are now more common than black widows, especially around homes.
Will spraying get rid of all spiders?
No treatment removes every spider, and that is not the goal. The goal is to keep widows away from where people and pets go.