Common Spider Species in California

08 Feb Common Spider Species in California

What types of spiders are common pests in California homes? Nearly 3,000 spider species live in North America, according to the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) PestWorld for Kids website. If you have eight-legged invaders, take a look at the possible culprits behind your pest problem.

The Cellar Spider

The common name for this spider species comes from where the arachnid is found — dark spaces such as the cellar or basement. While these spiders may look like a daddy longlegs, they are a different type of arachnid. To identify a cellar spider, look for:

• Legs. Like other spiders, the cellar variety has eight legs. But unlike some other species, the cellar spider’s legs are dramatically long and thin.
• Color. The cellar spider has a pale yellow, gray, or light brown hue.
• Body. Not only do cellar spiders have long legs, but this type of arachnid may also have a long body. According to the NPMA’s PestWorld site, adult male long-bodied cellar spiders have a one-quarter-inch body. Females have a body length between one-quarter and 5/16-inch.

If you don’t want to get close enough to the spider to look at its legs or evaluate the rest of its appearance, a pest control professional can identify this common California home invader. Along with identification, the exterminator can recommend a treatment plan to remove these spiders and prevent a reinfestation.

The American House Spider

Also known as parasteatoda tepidariorum, this spider is common in California — and many other places in the United States. These spiders live indoors and outdoors. Inside your home, American house spiders build webs in corners and under furniture. Outdoors, you may find these arachnids between stones or rocks or in other similar spaces.

The house spider doesn’t have the long legs or body of a cellar spider. Instead, these common household pests:

• Are white, yellow, brown, or almost black. These spiders vary in coloring. Some have an almost white hue, while others are much darker.
• Have striped or ringed legs. Look for yellow legs with gray or brown rings.
• Are smaller in size. Again, house spiders don’t have elongated bodies (or legs). The males are between 3.8 and 4.7 mm, and females are slightly larger.

The American house spider isn’t always easy to distinguish from other species — especially if you’re an arachnid novice. A pest control professional can evaluate your infestation issue, identify this spider (or let you know if your problem comes from another species), and exterminate the invader.

Grass Spiders

Do you have tall grass in your yard or a garden filled with evergreen shrubs? The grass spider (like the name implies) enjoys these types of outdoor areas. The grass spider:

• Is common in North America. This arachnid doesn’t only live in California. You can find grass spiders across the United States and in other parts of North America.
• Is a Funnel Web Weaver. The Funnel Web Weaver family of spiders does exactly what the name says. These spiders weave funnel-like webs. You’ll find these webs in your lawn or inside of bushes and other shrubbery outdoors.
• Has black and tan lines. The grass spider has two black lines that surround a tan line on its head region.

Even though grass spiders mostly live outdoors, these pests may come into your house. If you see an eight-legged invader that meets the description of the grass spider, but it’s not in your yard, a professional pest control contractor can identify it and treat a potential infestation. The exterminator can also discuss exterior treatments and preventative barrier measures.

Does your home have a spider issue — inside or outside? Contact Eary Termite & Pest Services for more information on treatment options.