Spiders in Santa Clarita

Most spiders in Santa Clarita are harmless and actually useful. The one worth taking seriously is the black widow, and we find them constantly — in garages, under patio furniture, in block wall voids, and around kids' play structures.

Where black widows hide

Dark, undisturbed, close to the ground. Block wall weep holes, the underside of outdoor furniture, garage corners, storage boxes, meter boxes, and inside playhouses and play structures. If it's been sitting undisturbed for a few weeks, check it.

Identifying one

Glossy black, roughly a half inch of body, with the red hourglass on the underside of the abdomen. The web is irregular and messy rather than a neat orb, and it's unusually strong — you'll feel it when you break it.

Controlling them

De-webbing and physical removal, plus treatment of harborage areas. Reducing clutter along the ground and keeping storage off the floor takes away most of the habitat.