Common Pests: Spiders

  • Black Widow spiders generally live in trash, closets, attics, woodpiles, garages and other dark places. They are found throughout California, especially in the warmer regions such as the Central Valley and Southern California. The female Black Widow Spider is much larger than the male and is easily identified by the infamous red hourglass on the bottom of its abdomen. Because of the females larger size, it can deliver a much larger volume of venom than the male and is considered more dangerous as a result.
  • The jumping spider is probably the most common biting spider in the United States. People are caught by surprise and scared when they see the spider jump, especially if it jumps towards them. Bites from a jumping spider are painful, itchy and cause redness and significant swelling and are generally considered to be no worse than the venom of a bee. Other symptoms may include painful muscles and joints, headache, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting. The symptoms usually last about 1-4 days. However, jumping spiders usually escape and hide and will only bite if provoked and cornered.
  • Daddy Longlegs are usually found hanging upside down in corners, eaves or basements. They are very common and are found in most homes. The Daddy Longlegs is not a true spider in that it cannot make silk and does not have fangs or venom glands. They have long thin legs with flexible claw-like "fingers". Daddy Longlegs can pinch but rarely penetrate human skin. They have scent glands on the front part of their bodies that can give-off a bad-smelling fluid. This stinky fluid is used as a defense mechanism to keep enemies away. Some people might have a reaction to the fluid but Daddy Longlegs are not considered dangerous to humans.
  • Many spiders are associated with moisture and, therefore, are found in basements, crawl spaces, and other damp parts of buildings. Others live in warm, dry places so are found in sub floor air-vents, in upper corners of rooms or in attics. Most species hide in cracks, darkened areas, or other retreats which they construct of silk. Many species of spiders are common household pests in the United States. Certain common household spiders spin webs over lamps, in corners and in basements. Remember that every "cobweb" was made by a spider. Although all spiders use venom when they bite and kill their prey, the black widow and the brown recluse spiders are the only North American species consistently dangerous to humans.

    Everguard Exterminators performs thorough inspections which are necessary in order to find all these spider harborages. We will provide safe sanitation, removal, or insecticide treatment for your home or business.