Pest ID Guide
Spiders
Most spiders you'll find in a Southern California home are harmless. A few, like the black widow, are worth knowing on sight.
Identification
Eight-legged arachnids. Most local species are harmless, though a few, like the black widow, are venomous.
Habitat
Build webs or hide in undisturbed corners, garages, woodpiles, and clutter both indoors and out.
Why They're A Risk
Mostly a nuisance, but a few species deliver medically significant bites.
Signs To Watch For
Webs rebuilding in the same spot, egg sacs, and sightings in garages or storage areas.
Species We Treat
Photo: What Do Spiders Look Like?
What Do Spiders Look Like?
A spider's body has an abdomen and cephalothorax, eight legs, and an exoskeleton. Most have eight eyes, along with the mouth, fangs, and brain, all located in the cephalothorax. Spinnerets at the back of the abdomen produce the silk used for webs. Spiders don't have ears; leg hairs sense vibrations and smells instead. Size and color vary widely by species; most U.S. spiders run 1/4" to 1" long, with females typically larger than males.
