Understanding Spiders in Arizona: What You Need to Know
Spiders are a large group of predatory arachnids that hunt live prey. They catch their prey in a variety of ways, from actively stalking it to weaving intricate aerial webs to ensnare it. They then use their fangs to liquefy its insides and suck it dry.
Common spiders in Arizona include:
- Black widows
- Garden spiders
- Giant crab spiders
- Jumping spiders
- Tarantulas
- Desert recluses
- Wolf spiders
Most of these spiders are harmless. Though, as we'll see below, a couple of them can be more dangerous.
Identifying Dangerous Spiders in Arizona
Although all spiders are venomous, most spiders in the U.S.A. do not have venom potent enough to harm humans. A bite from a wolf spider or a garden spider, for example, would likely result in little more than pain and swelling at the site of the bite. Even big, hairy tarantulas have a bite that is no worse than a bee sting.
The two spider species we have to worry about here in Arizona are black widows and desert recluses (a relative of the brown recluse). The bite of the desert recluse can cause necrosis, while the neurotoxic venom of the black widow may cause systemic symptoms such as vomiting, fainting, and even trouble breathing.
Why do I have a spider problem?
Regardless of the type of spider, virtually no spider has any reason to come into your house. They don't need humans for water, and they don't eat our food. This means the only reason you would have an actual infestation of spiders is if you have an infestation of something else.
The occasional spider wandering into your house by accident is not abnormal. However, if you start seeing a major uptick in spider activity inside your home, you should start to suspect that you have other bug problems. Common insect infestations that attract spiders include:
- Roaches
- Flies
- Ants
- Silverfish
If you start seeing lots of spiders around your home, start looking for signs of other pests they could be preying on.
Where will I find spiders?
You will find spiders just about anywhere. You may see web-weaving spiders casting their nets up high in the corners of your house near the ceiling. You might see wolf spiders stalking their prey underneath appliances or inside cabinets. You might find black widows spinning their webs near the floor in your shed.
The thing you'll notice virtually all spiders have in common is that they want to stay away from you. This is why you will almost always find spiders tucked away in lower-traffic areas.
How do I get rid of spiders?
Getting rid of spiders is, unfortunately, very difficult once you have an infestation going. A single female spider can lay an egg sac with hundreds or even thousands of baby spiders inside. If you have an infestation that is severe enough to attract and sustain a breeding population of spiders, you could have thousands of them inside your home in no time.
This is why you'll need professional pest control in Phoenix help from the experts here at Eco Valley Pest Control. We have extensive knowledge about all the local spiders endemic to our area. Not only can we help you eliminate an infestation of spiders, but we can also help find and eliminate the prey infestation that's attracting them. So don't wait until you are living with a horde of eight-legged freeloaders. Call or click today.
How can I prevent spiders in the future?
The best way that you can prevent spiders is to prevent infestations of the things they like to eat. Keeping yucky bugs like roaches and flies out of your house is the best way to ensure you keep spiders out as well. So keep your garbage covered and store your pantry foods in airtight containers. Also, make sure to eliminate clutter to reduce hiding spots for spiders and their prey alike. And remember, if you wind up with a spider infestation anyway, the experts here at Eco Valley Pest Control are practically next door.
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