One More Thing to Beware and Aware Of

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On Kings of Pain, this week they had a spider I wasn't even aware existed so I thought it would make for an interesting post. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to write this? Yuck! The Brown Widow has been found in Southern California since 2000 and is continuing its expansion into Central California. It is unlike its relative, the red and black widow, in that it is tan and brown in color with a black accent marking. A "dorsal longitudinal abdominal stripe" and three diagonal stripes on each flank in the female of the species. It has an orange shade of hourglass. It is difficult to identify an immature black widow from one of the brown widows and takes some experience. There is some confusion as to where this species originated. First thought was to have come from South America and then Africa. They are established in Cyprus, South Africa, Australia, Hawaii, and Florida. Being found in warm and dry climates can be a real threat to people here in the United States. The two on "Kings of Pain" said the bite of the brown widow is worse than the black or red and the pain can last for days. (This is different from the information I have read which says it is only worrisome if allergic or if you have sensitive skin.) They are not aggressive but may bite if cornered. By making sure that all outside doors have tight-fitting screens, wash all clothing before storing them, and keep clean and vacuum regularly to ensure you keep them away from your home. If you choose to use a bug spray pick one that has Pyrethrins in it and spray it around window sills, doorways, and anywhere else you see webs. Here is more info on how to get rid of this spider: