Spider control

The Coachella Valley is also home to what many know as the sun spider or camel spider. If you are unfortunate enough to get bitten by them, it hurts. This is not a spider, though. Its real name is a solifuge. These are arachnids, in that they have eight legs, but they cannot create a web. If you get a good look at the solifuge, they are closer to a scorpion, with a similar body shape and color. They can grow up to three inches long, but most are closer to an inch

This is where we play mythbuster. Southern California is not home to the brown recluse spider, also known as the violin spider. They are more of a midwestern thing. This is good news because the venom of the brown recluse can, in instances of severe bites, lead to necrosis-causing enzymes that can eat your flesh away. This level of severity is the exception rather than the rule.

What you are likely seeing is a relative of the brown recluse called the desert recluse. They look very similar in color. Both have tan legs and cephalothorax. The brown recluse, the more dangerous of the two, has a longitudinal dark brown stripe starting at the head and running the length of the cephalothorax. Combined with the dark brown head, this design looks like a violin, which is the source of the nickname given the brown recluse spider.

Chances are what you have is several generations of black widow spiders infesting your home and property, or possibly you have brown widow spiders.

 

Brown widow spiders

Brown widow spiders are very similar to the recluse spider, and are also mistaken for immature black widow spiders. They have a dark brown cephalothorax, but the abdomen is light brown with darker splotches.

The easiest way to tell if you are dealing with a brown widow is if you come across the egg sack. The brown widow sack is brown and spherical, with distinctive silk points that might look like tiny thorns.

Brown widows have a neurotoxin venom, but they don’t have large reservoirs of venom, or the strength to inject it, in a manner that will cause humans a problem.

 

Black widow spiders

The black widow spider is one of the most recognizable and feared arachnids. Although the bite is not very painful, its venom is potent enough to cause flu-like symptoms in humans for up to 72 hours. The adult female black widow is the most recognizable and notorious of the breed. When mature, the female black widow’s body is as large as 5/8 of an inch. The legspan is often larger than a quarter.

Immature female black widows and male black widows are very similar to brown widows and the California recluse spider. The chief difference is that there is very little dark brown coloration, and the abdomen is striped. The mature male black widow is about half the size of the female.

Only the female black widow is poisonous. It takes a female about 90 days to reach sexual maturity and she can live as long as two or three years.
Black widows can be found anyplace other spiders are found. They especially like the underside of lawn chairs, closed barbeques, and other similar areas. If you are going to use these typical garden or yard items, hose them off or take a broom to them before use.

Spiders are attracted to warm and dark spaces, as well as areas with a lot of insect activity. If you have a lot of insects in your home, such as flies or mosquitoes, spiders may be present to prey on them. Additionally, cluttered spaces or areas with a lot of dust and debris can provide hiding places for spiders.

No, not all spiders are dangerous to humans. Most spiders in the United States are harmless and actually provide a benefit by eating other insects. However, some species of spiders, such as black widows and brown recluses, can pose a threat to human health and should be avoided.

To prevent spiders from entering your home, keep it clean and well-maintained. Regularly dust and vacuum to remove cobwebs and spider eggs, and seal any cracks or gaps in walls, doors, and windows. Remove any clutter or debris that could provide hiding places for spiders, and keep your outdoor lighting to a minimum, as lights can attract insects which in turn attract spiders.

If you have a spider infestation, it’s important to first identify the species of spider and determine whether it poses a threat to human health. If the spiders are harmless, you can try using a vacuum to remove them or use a spider repellent spray. However, if you have a large infestation or are dealing with dangerous species of spiders, it’s best to contact a pest control professional to help eliminate the problem. They can use specialized treatments and exclusion techniques to ensure that your home remains spider-free.