Spider control in San Mateo, CA
Webs in the garage or a spider on the wall? Most spiders are harmless. A pest professional can help you decide if your San Mateo home needs treatment at all.
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Most spiders are helpful
UC IPM says most spiders are beneficial because they eat pest insects. The jaws of most spiders are too small to bite people. Spiders you see out in the open during the day are unlikely to bite.
That means spider treatment is often not needed. UC IPM says to focus on removing webs and hiding places, and that pesticides usually are not needed. A call can still help if spiders keep showing up or you are worried about one kind.
Black widows
In California, the main spider that can cause serious injury is the black widow. The adult female is shiny black with a red hourglass mark on the underside. Black widows tend to stay out of sight in dry, sheltered places such as wood piles and garages.
UC IPM says anyone bitten by a black widow should stay calm and seek medical advice. It also says the brown recluse and the hobo spider do not live in California.
Signs of spiders
- Webs in corners, window frames and under the eaves.
- Spiders in the garage, basement, crawl space or storage areas.
- Lots of insects around porch lights. Spiders come to feed on them.
- Messy, tough, sticky webs low in dark, dry places, which may belong to a black widow.
What to talk through about spiders
A good spider conversation starts with whether anything needs treating. A pest professional can help with these questions.
- What kind of spider you are seeing and where.
- Whether it is a harmless spider or one to be careful around.
- Gaps around windows, doors and screens.
- Clutter and stored items that give spiders places to hide.
- Insects that draw spiders, such as bugs gathering at outdoor lights.
- Whether treatment is needed at all, or whether web removal and sealing are enough.
Ways to keep spiders out
UC IPM suggests these steps for homes.
- Seal cracks in the foundation and gaps around windows and doors.
- Check that window and door screens fit well.
- Keep clutter off floors indoors and away from the foundation outside.
- Sweep, mop and vacuum often. Vacuum up the spider and its web.
- Knock down webs on the outside of the house with a broom or a strong spray from a hose.
- Leave an unfamiliar spider alone. Do not handle one you think may be a black widow.
Questions about spider control
Do I need spider treatment?
Often not. UC IPM says pesticides usually are not needed for spiders. Removing webs, clutter and gaps tends to work. If spiders keep showing up in large numbers, a pest professional can look at what is drawing them.
Could this be a brown recluse?
UC IPM says the brown recluse does not live in California. Many brown spiders look alike, so a clear photo helps with identification.
What if someone gets bitten?
UC IPM says most spider bites cause no more than itching or a reaction like a bee sting. For a black widow bite, stay calm and seek medical advice.
Call for help with spider control
Have your notes and a photo ready, then call.
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Also seeing ants? Read about ant control.
Back to pest control in San Mateo, CA
Pest guidance on this page is based on UC Statewide IPM Program: Spiders. Those statements belong to that source.