- Black widows: shiny black, red hourglass. Brown widows: tan/brown, orange hourglass, spiky egg sacs.
- Brown widows now outnumber black widows in many Bakersfield neighborhoods.
- Favorite spots: garages, block walls, patio furniture, water meter boxes, play sets.
- Barrier sprays alone are unreliable for spiders; web removal and harborage treatment work.
Bakersfield homeowners regularly find widow spiders in the garage, under the patio table, and in the kids’ playhouse. Two species live here, and it helps to know which one you have.
Identification
| Black widow | Brown widow | |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Glossy jet black | Tan to dark brown, mottled, striped legs |
| Hourglass | Bright red, underside of abdomen | Orange to yellow-orange |
| Egg sac | Smooth, round, off-white | Spiky, tan, looks like a tiny sea mine |
| Web | Messy, strong, near the ground | Messy, often higher up: under railings, in patio furniture |
| Bite | Medically significant; seek care | Usually milder but still painful; seek care if symptoms spread |
The spiky egg sac is the easiest giveaway. If you see them clustered under a patio chair or along a fence rail, you have brown widows.
Where they hide around Bakersfield homes
- Garage corners, behind stored boxes, around the water heater
- Block wall crevices and the tops of fence panels
- Undersides of patio furniture, grills, and planters
- Water meter and irrigation valve boxes
- Play structures, sandboxes, and outdoor toys
- Eaves, light fixtures, and behind shutters
How dangerous are they?
Black widow bites can cause severe muscle pain, cramping, and sweating and warrant medical attention, especially for children and older adults. Deaths are extremely rare. Brown widow bites are typically limited to local pain. Neither spider is aggressive; bites happen when a hand or foot presses on a spider hidden in a glove, shoe, or under furniture. Shake out gloves and shoes stored in the garage.
Control that works
Spiders do not pick up residual insecticide the way ants or roaches do, so spraying the perimeter and hoping is unreliable. What works:
- Physically remove webs and egg sacs on a regular schedule. Every Bugged Out maintenance visit includes this.
- Treat the specific harborage areas: block wall crevices, eaves, meter boxes, under furniture.
- Reduce their food by controlling the insects around exterior lights and the perimeter.
- Declutter garages and keep stored items in sealed bins rather than cardboard.
- Switch exterior bulbs to warm or yellow LEDs, which attract fewer insects.
See our spider control service for details on what is included.
Frequently asked
Should I go to the doctor for a black widow bite?
Yes, especially if pain spreads beyond the bite site, or if the person bitten is a child, elderly, or pregnant. Call your doctor or poison control at 1-800-222-1222.
Do widow spiders come inside?
Occasionally, usually into garages, closets, and behind furniture in quiet rooms. They prefer undisturbed outdoor spots.
Need help with this in Bakersfield, Oildale, Rosedale, or Shafter? Free inspection, same-day service.
Call (661) 493-5513