Five Spine-Chilling Spiders Found in Utah and What You Need to Know

It’s almost Halloween in Utah, and what can be more terrifying than a hair-raising spider? We’re not talking about the ones you hang up this time of year for decorations. No, we are talking about the creepy, crawly, and not-so-scary ones that spin webs or make their way inside our homes. With approximately 3,400 species of spiders in North America, you are bound to see a few in your home now and then. While we have a few here in Utah that are poisonous and can cause harm, most spiders are not toxic and will do their best to avoid humans. Let’s look at and identify the five most common spiders found here in the Beehive State, including the two that are highly dangerous to humans.

ONE: THE BLACK WIDOW

Probably the most well-known and feared spider is the black widow. Just the drop of the name makes your skin crawl. The black widow is quite recognizable with an hourglass shape under its abdomen. Some also have red markings along their backs. With venom 15 times worse than that of a rattlesnake, it is the deadliest spider in North America. A bite from a black widow can produce muscle aches, nausea, and paralysis of the diaphragm, making it difficult to breathe.  During the warmer months, they hide out in tall grass and shrubs. In the winter here in Utah, they like to find warmth in your garage, mailbox, and basement. Fortunately, the black widow prefers to come out at night and prefers to stay away from humans. Their messy webs are spun to capture mostly flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars.

TWO: BROWN RECLUSE

Another spider known for its bite is the brown recluse. These horrifying spiders are brown and identified by the black mark on their abdomen that looks like a violin. Their overall color is grayish-yellow, brown and their legs are long and slim. About the size of a quarter, they have six eyes arranged in pairs. Their natural habitat is outside in gardens. In the winter, however, they like to hide in the darkest areas of your home, such as the basement, attic, garages, trash cans, and attics. Though they aren’t usually aggressive, they will bite if they feel threatened. The infamous bite of a brown recluse can cause skin cells to die in the area surrounding the spider bite, known as necrosis. This can lead to infection and, in rare cases, death. Children are more sensitive to spider bites and may suffer life-threatening reactions. We recommend seeking medical help if you or are loved one finds yourself at the receiving end of a brown recluse bite.

THREE: WOLF SPIDER

This scary-looking creature looks like something from a science fiction movie! This is because it has four small eyes beneath two giant eyes that sit directly above them. With its large appearance and hairy nature, it is often mistaken for a tarantula. But unlike the tarantula, its venom is not poisonous to humans. They are typically brown and black with grey coatings. They receive their name because instead of constructing a web to capture their prey like most spiders, they hunt their game on the move, like wolves. They are most likely to be found in basements, crawlspaces, doors, and windows in the home. Despite its awkward appearance, there is no need to worry. They are not known to be aggressive and are not deadly.

FOUR: YELLOW SACS

Yellow sac spiders are fairly common and found all over the United States, including Utah. They are tiny little creatures with either yellow or cream-colored bodies and brown coloring on their heads. These nighttime feeders feast on small insects and even other spiders. While they are typically found outside, it is now during fall that they start seeking warmth and shelter inside. If you see one inside, it will probably be at night crawling along your wall and across the ceiling. Fortunately, the bite of a yellow sac spider is not dangerous, but it can cause days of itching, swelling, and redness.

HUNTSMAN SPIDER

Finally on our list is the huntsman spider. These giant spiders can be the size of dinner plates! Like the wolf spider, they do not weave webs either. Instead, they hunt down their prey, hence their name. With a large, black, hairy appearance and eight eyes, no one can blame you if you run from this creepy-looking dude. Often mistaken for tarantulas, they have legs with joints that twist so that when they are walking, they spread out in a crab-like fashion. This goes along with their flattened bodies adapted for living in narrow spaces. When outside, the huntsman spider typically lives under loose bark on trees, under rocks, in crevices, and under foliage. They occasionally bite humans, especially if they are in danger, but their bites are not known to be harmful to humans. Like all spiders, they can inflict red, itchy, swollen bites and cause allergic reactions in some.

PROTECT YOUR UTAH RESIDENCE AGAINST SPIDERS AND OTHER INSECTS WITH PERIMETER PEST CONTROL

Spiders may be interesting to learn about, especially during this season when everything is creeping up on Halloween, but they are not fun to live with. Protect your Utah home and stop spiders and other insects in their tracks. Ferta-Lawn’s highly effective insecticide perimeter treatment services act as the first line of defense around your home. Our perimeter spray helps prevent spiders and other insects such as ants, wasps, earwigs, millipedes, roaches, and other household pests by creating a barrier between the outside and your home.

Find out how Ferta-Lawn can help protect your family by visiting our website, contacting us online, or giving us a call at 801-429-9179. Then learn more about us by checking out our Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest pages.

Want to learn more information on pest control, lawn care, and landscaping? Great! Check out our other blog posts and stay tuned for next month’s informative article.