Tens Of Thousands Of Tarantulas Are Coming To Los Angeles — And Yes, This Is Totally Normal

With their eight long, hairy legs, they tend to spark strong reactions; you either love them or hate them. Some people are terrified of them, others are just grossed out, while plenty actually keep them as pets. But Angelenos might start seeing spiders, specifically the California tarantula, more often. They’re currently crawling across the city in search of love... because hey, we all deserve a shot at finding our significant other, right? According to *L.A. County Trails,* the California tarantula isn’t just a native species, it’s also very docile. Most of them live and spend nearly the entire year in areas far from the urban core, where there’s plenty of tree cover, shrubs, and plants. But from [mid-August](https://secretlosangeles.com/things-to-do-this-august-in-la/) to October, the males leave their burrows and begin their search for a mate, marking the start of mating season. In their search for the perfect mate, males can travel several miles, so it wouldn’t be unusual to come across one on your next hiking adventure, camping night, or afternoon yoga session in the park. Especially if you do these activities in places like Griffith Park, Malibu Creek State Park, Topanga State Park, and Eaton Canyon. But wait... Although all this might sound unpleasant (at least to those who aren’t fans of these creatures), the truth is tarantulas rarely attack humans. In fact, according to *WebMD,* tarantulas tend to be shy around people and usually avoid them altogether. That’s why bites are very rare. Still, if they do, their bite can still hurt (similar to the pain caused by a bee sting), but their venom it’s not dangerous to humans. Still, if you spot a tarantula, it’s best to just leave it alone, maybe take some photos or videos, and nothing more. If you find one in your house or pool, the specialist site *Tarantula Heaven,* advises placing it (without touching it) in a container with holes for ventilation, and then releasing it back into the wild far away from your home. If the tarantula bites you during this process, the *Mount Sinai* website recommends washing the area with soap and water. Applying ice (wrapped in a clean cloth or other covering) to the bite site for 10 minutes, then remove it for 10 minutes, and repeat this cycle as needed. Whatever you do, make sure not to kill the tarantula if you come across one. Killing tarantulas can disrupt the natural balance of the environment and reduce their valuable role in biological pest control. After all, they’re just out there looking for love... Who can blame them for that? Source: https://secretlosangeles.com/tarantulas-are-coming-los-angeles/