Types of Spiders Commonly Found in Southern California

Southern California is home to a diverse array of spider species, some harmless, others requiring more caution. Understanding the types you might encounter in Fallbrook and the surrounding region is the first step toward effective control.

• Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus hesperus): Easily recognizable by its shiny black body and the distinct red hourglass marking on its abdomen, the black widow is one of the most common harmful spiders in California. They prefer dark, dry, sheltered, and undisturbed places such as attics, garages, woodpiles, and under eaves. While their bite can be painful and serious, fatalities are rare.
• Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus geometricus): Similar to the black widow but typically lighter in color, ranging from tan to dark brown, with an orange or reddish hourglass marking. Their egg sacs are spiky, unlike the smooth sacs of black widows. They are often found in outdoor clutter, under patio furniture, and in similar sheltered locations.
• Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium mildei): These small, pale yellow spiders often have a slightly darker stripe on their abdomen. They are commonly found indoors, spinning silken sacs in ceiling corners, behind shelves, and pictures. Their bite can cause initial pain similar to a bee sting, redness, and swelling.
• Wolf Spider: Large, hairy, and fast-moving, wolf spiders are ground-dwelling hunters that do not spin webs to catch prey. They are often found in gardens, leaf litter, and sometimes venture indoors seeking insects. While their size can be intimidating, they are generally not aggressive towards humans and only bite if provoked.
• Orb Weaver Spider: Known for their intricate, circular webs, orb weavers are frequently seen in gardens and between structures. They come in various sizes and colors and are generally harmless to humans.
• Jumping Spiders: These small, often colorful spiders are characterized by their excellent eyesight and jerky, jumping movements. They are active hunters and do not build webs for prey capture, instead using silk for draglines. They are commonly found in gardens and on walls.
• Cellar Spiders (Daddy Long-Legs): With small bodies and very long, thin legs, cellar spiders are often found in damp, dark, secluded places like basements, crawl spaces, and, as their name suggests, cellars. They spin loose, irregular webs.
• Desert Recluse Spider: Found in desert regions and areas near the Mexican border, these spiders are nocturnal and prefer remote, undisturbed habitats like under rocks and in old animal burrows. They have six eyes arranged in three pairs.