Does anyone ever see black widows? (homes, construction, live)

[RobE]

I personally haven't seen any black widows where I used to live in Orange County since I was in elementary school. I'm sure they're out there, but I haven't noticed. The main bugs that I saw are things like bees, daddy longlegs, cockroaches, june bugs, flies, ants and fleas (I have dogs).

[Huckleberry3911948]

plenty but when my alligator lizards show up they be gone.

[family first]

Where are you moving from?

[KarlaT2]

There are lots of black widows out here in the desert area where I am at (Palm Springs area). We have our yard sprayed to keep down the huge cricket population. The spiders seem to be less plentiful if their food source is gone. In an apartment your cat would be better off than being outside. I do know of one person who did lose a cat from a widow bite, so it is a concern. My cats love to chase bugs too, but they are indoor only, and so far I've only had a couple actually in the house. Sure want to keep it that way. Hate spiders. Ugh.

[eureka1]

The ONLY black widows I've ever seen were in Mill Valley. My relatives were replacing their washing machine and when the Goodwill guy came to pick up the old one, there was a bunch of them underneath. Guess they liked the heat and damp.

[115db]

Black widows, scorpions, snakes, garden spiders, field mice, roof and sewer rats, any type of critter are EVERYWHERE. Im guessing theyre probably more populated in the cities, as I recall living in Ontario and we were always finding them in the garage. No one is exempt from any pest. Im not sure about the 'abundance' part though it may be true. Where I live we notice a lot of field mice and gnats, but then we live in a big field. The secret is having your house exterminated and sealing every tiny crevice with caulking or silicone because that is the entry and exit for any bug or rodent. A field mouse only needs an opening the size of a dime to squeeze through. We have a cat so havent seen mice but it wouldnt surprise me if she had caught a few.
Point being here is yes, we do have them, but I dont know where on earth we dont.

[Shope]

Originally Posted by cw68

Ortho Home Defense Max will kill black widows if you spray it on them. Kills 'em quickly

Yep, I go on a murderous bug rampage every now and again with this stuff.

[hydro]

Yes they are around but they don't like people and they hate cats. Good luck!

For the record, I've never found one in an apartment. Only outside or in garage.

California native. (northern)

[marystruchen]

Have plenty of up in Sacramento area also. Mainly in my garage. I just spray them and then knock them to the ground and step on them. That takes care of the problem

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Yesterday, Bay Area burbs. Killed 4 in the garage. Smash, smash, smash, smash. Done.