Brown Widows in SoCal
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SAN DIEGO -- A new breed of poisonous spider is invading Southern California.
Originally from South Africa, the brown widow spiders were first spotted in San Diego in 2004.
Experts say they have multiplied by the thousands and have been found throughout the Southern California area as far north as Carlsbad and as far south as Imperial Beach. However, residents in Monrovia and Azusa say they are also finding the spiders on their properties.
The brown widow's venom is more potent than the venom of its cousin, the black widow, and one bite can send a person to the hospital.
The spiders also multiply quickly, with eggs hatching in 20 days.
One egg could contain 35 spiders.
San Diego County's bug experts say they are now seeing brown widows inland instead of just in ocean communities.
For more information on brown widow spiders: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_widow_spider
Calif. Poison Control Center: http://www.calpoison.org/public/spiders.html
Originally from South Africa, the brown widow spiders were first spotted in San Diego in 2004.
Experts say they have multiplied by the thousands and have been found throughout the Southern California area as far north as Carlsbad and as far south as Imperial Beach. However, residents in Monrovia and Azusa say they are also finding the spiders on their properties.
The brown widow's venom is more potent than the venom of its cousin, the black widow, and one bite can send a person to the hospital.
The spiders also multiply quickly, with eggs hatching in 20 days.
One egg could contain 35 spiders.
San Diego County's bug experts say they are now seeing brown widows inland instead of just in ocean communities.
For more information on brown widow spiders: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_widow_spider
Calif. Poison Control Center: http://www.calpoison.org/public/spiders.html
