What Kind of Spiders Can You Find in Orange County?

What kind of spiders can you find in Orange County? That is a question that many people ask, and it is a valid one. After all, there are quite a few different types of spiders, and some of them can be quite dangerous. In this blog post, we will take a look at the different types of spiders that can be found in Orange County, California, as well as their respective dangers. We will also provide some tips on how to avoid spider infestations per species. Stay safe out there!

Common Spiders You'll Find Around Your Home

The climate in Southern California opens plenty of opportunities for spiders to make a home around yours. What's important is to know which spiders to keep a safe distance from. Overall, spiders are of huge importance to our ecosystem. They provide a lot of help keeping pests out of your home, but an infestation from this creature is something you also do not want. The most common spiders to keep an eye out for in Orange County are:

• American House Spider
• Yellow Sac Spider
• Brown Recluse 
• Black Widow
• Daddy Long Legs

American House Spider

The American house spider is one of the most commonly seen spiders in North America. They are often mistaken for being a brown recluse, but these harmless creatures only grow to be about ¼ an inch long. The female lifespan is around two years, while males only live up to 200 days due to their tendency of getting eaten after mating. If you see one of these spiders, it's likely because they've made their home in your attic, crawlspace, or any other dry and secluded area. While they don't typically build webs, they will if food is scarce. These spiders are not aggressive and would much rather run away than fight you off. While a bite from this spider isn't deadly, it can cause some irritation that lasts for a couple of days. The best way to ensure you don't have this species of spider in your home is to reduce clutter and keep all entry points sealed. 

Yellow Sac Spider

The yellow sac spider can be found in Orange County and other parts of the world. These spiders are known for their bright yellow color and their small size. Yellow sac spiders are not aggressive and usually only bite humans if they feel threatened. A bite from a yellow sac spider can cause mild irritation and swelling, but it is not considered dangerous to humans. If you see a yellow sac spider in your home, it is important to remove it carefully, but we don’t recommend killing it as this spider is known to eat many different pests including cockroaches and ants. If you have yellow sac spiders in your home, they are likely along baseboards, under furniture, or on ceilings. If you are noticing this species inside, limit the vegetation close to your home as they are naturally by trees, bushes, or under bark and stones. 

Brown Recluse Spider

The brown recluse spider is a species of spider that can be found in California, but more so in the southern portion of the state. This spider is brown and has a violin-shaped mark on its back which makes it recognizable to many. The brown recluse spider is not aggressive and will only bite humans when being pressed against. This is usually the case when the spider hides in clothing or against walls. A bite from a brown recluse spider can cause necrosis, which is the death of tissue. If the individual is more sensitive to certain bites, the venom can spread throughout their organs. For the most part, if you keep the wound clean and sanitary, the chances of the bite causing serious reactions are less likely than just having a fever, chills, and feeling weak. 

If you see a brown recluse spider in your home, it is important to remove it carefully as we've learned this is not a spider in which you want to test their bite. If you have brown recluse spiders in your home, they are likely in dark, undisturbed areas such as closets or attics. Cleaning up wood piles in your attack or activating essential oils are good methods to deter a brown recluse. 

Black Widow Spider

The most dangerous spider in Orange County is the black widow. The female black widow's bite is particularly harmful to humans because it can introduce a neurotoxin into your system to ultimately shut your body down if it gets bad enough. Black widow bites are not usually fatal, but it is still important to seek precautionary medical attention if you suspect a bite from this species. 

A black widow can be identified by their famous hourglass-shaped red mark on their abdomen. Black widows are rarely seen in homes, but they can be around your property in piles of wood, tall grass, gardens, and sheds. If you want to free your home of this dangerous spider, look to eliminate any clutter and remove their food sources which include grasshoppers, earwigs, flies, and moths. 

Daddy Longlegs

These spiders are commonly confused about being venomous because of wise tails passed down generations. However, they are actually harmless to humans! You can find them in both dark and light areas and they like to build their webs in high places like ceilings, furniture, and even picture frames. When you don't see their webs, you may find daddy longlegs in gardens, garages, crawl spaces, and basements. If you have a fear of spiders, seeing one of these may not help since they can be quite large. Some people call them harvestmen because they are often seen outdoors during the fall season. The good news is with this spider being completely harmless, they will also take care of many alive or dead pests around your home. To get rid of daddy longlegs, try using a vacuum cleaner or spider catcher to remove them from your home. Clean out debris and make sure your home does not have any openings for easy entry. 

the bugman Offers Professional Spider Control

Although spiders are good to have around your property, you don't want them invading your personal space inside your home. If you want to get rid of any spider infestation and none of the tips above helped, look to talking with one of our exterminators at the bugman. We have been serving the local community around Orange County for over 60 years now. Find out how we can help with your pest problem!