
- Submitted by:
- Submitted: Feb 16, 2019
- Photographed: Oct 8, 2018
- Spider: Steatoda nobilis (Noble False Widow)
- Location: San Mateo, California, United States
- Spotted Outdoors: Man-made structure (building wall, fences, etc.)
- Found in web?: No
- Attributes: Dorsal
Found this on my garbage can a few months ago, doesn’t look too friendly. Appreciate any help to identify, I have young kids and want to know if this is something dangerous. Thanks
Hi, it looks like a noble false widow, Steatoda noblis. The spiders in this family, Theridiidae, usually avoid people if they can. The spider would only bite if it feels endangered or trapped, such as being held tightly in a person’s hand. A child might also sit or lay down on a spider. The spiders won’t go out of their way to bite people, it’s just self-defense. Allergic reactions are possible with spider bites like they are with insect stings.