Is it black widow season in California? Here’s how to avoid these deadly spiders

Warm weather in California signals the return of one of the most venomous spiders in the United States.

A Sacramento resident recently took to Reddit to ask if other locals have noticed an uptick in black widow spiders in the area.

“Is there such a thing of black widow season here in Sacramento?” Reddit user dstrick707 wrote.

Black widow spiders are among the pests that more active during warm months, said Jeff Lyons, sales and retention representative with Pro Active Pest Control in Northern California and Arizona. The company has served, the Sacramento region for roughly 20 years.

“(Black widows) are probably the deadliest spider in Northern California because of their venom,” Lyons told The Sacramento Bee via phone Tuesday morning.

Bug season is typically between March and November, Lyons said.

During that time period, he added, black widow spiders are “always going to be a problem.”

The spiders tend to slow down during the winter, according to Pestcom Pest Management.

Here’s how to identify black widow spiders — and how to avoid them.

What do black widow spiders look like?

Black widow spiders can be identified by the red hourglass marking on their abdomens, according to National Geographic.

They spin large, strong and sticky webs for their prey.

“It takes a little bit of effort to get a black widow web down compared to a regular spider web,” said Lyons, who’s worked in the pest control industry since 2010.

The creepy-crawly creatures measure approximately 1.5 inches long, and have a life span of one to three years.

“The (black widow) spider is one of the largest arachnids found in Sacramento,” Pegasus Pest Control wrote on its website, adding that the species is known for its “gruesome mating rituals and venomous bite.”

I found a black widow near my home. Now what?

“Call pest control ... if there’s one there’s more,” Lyons said.

During the day, black widow spiders seek shelter in dark, damp spaces, he said.

This includes patio furniture, wood piles and overstocked sheds and garages.

Although black widows are usually spotted outside, they’ll wander indoors if it gets too cold.

Are black widow spiders dangerous to humans? Pets?

Possibly.

A black widow’s venom is 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake, according to National Geographic.

The spiders aren’t aggressive and only bite humans and pets in self-defense or if they’re accidentally sat on.

“If you don’t disturb them, they (aren’t) coming after you,” Lyons said.

Most people who are bitten don’t suffer serious illness or death, National Geographic said, although black widow bites can be deadly.

Those most at risk include small children, older adults and physically weak individuals.

Black widows typically stick to biting insects they use as food, including flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, beetles and caterpillars.

Sometimes, female spiders will kill and eat their male counterparts during a violent mating ritual.

What are the symptoms of a black widow bite?