Here in Arizona, we’re no strangers to scary arachnids—after all, we do have around 30 species of scorpions in our state, one of which can be deadly. Sometimes we’re so focused on protecting ourselves from the dangerous Arizona bark scorpion that we forget there’s another arachnid in our area that we need to watch out for: spiders.
While most of the spiders you might find in your Phoenix home are comparatively harmless, there are a few native species in our area you need to look out for. Let’s talk about a few local spider species and what you can do to keep them out of your home.
Local Spiders In Phoenix, AZ
Tarantulas
Unlike most other areas in the United States, we have native tarantulas here in Arizona. There are over 50 species of tarantulas native to the southwest and even into states as far north as Colorado and Utah. These large, hairy spiders might look scary, but they’re generally harmless to humans. They can inflict a venomous bite, but it’s usually no more severe than a bee sting.
Black Widow Spiders
The black widow is endemic throughout the continental U.S., so finding one here in Arizona isn’t uncommon. Contrary to popular belief, these shiny black spiders are seldom deadly, but they can inflict a nasty bite that can cause serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms, chills, fever, pain, headache, and stupor.
Brown Recluse Spiders
Arizona homeowners are a lot more likely to encounter a black widow than a brown recluse. Still, you need to know what to look for. These spiders are between an inch to an inch and a half in diameter; they have long spindly legs, six eyes, and a fiddle-shaped marking on their cephalothorax. Brown recluse spiders also normally aren't deadly, but their bite can cause tissue necrosis and localized gangrene, so if you’re bitten, seek medical help to avoid potential tissue damage and permanent scarring.
Southern House Spiders
This spider looks a lot like the brown recluse, but it has eight eyes and large spines on its legs, distinguishing it from the recluse. The bite of the southern house spider is not considered medically significant. These spiders are much more common throughout our region, so if you see a spider you think is a brown recluse, chances are, it’s probably a southern house spider.
Prevention Tips For Phoenix Spiders
Spiders prefer to remain outdoors, and there’s only one main attractant that can lure them into your home in large numbers: another infestation. If you have an infestation of roaches, flies, silverfish, or any other common insects that spiders feed on, you may start seeing spiders inside your home more frequently. Fortunately, there are tons of ways to keep spiders out of your house. Here are six:
- Sweep away cobwebs to encourage web-weaving spiders to move on.
- Tightly cover garbage and food containers to avoid attracting the insects that spiders prey on.
- Repair damage to your homes like cracks and holes to make it harder for spiders to get in.
- Clear clutter to reduce spider hiding places.
- Trim back branches and shrubs to reduce spider access points.
- Store firewood away from your home to eliminate spider and insect breeding grounds.
Unfortunately, spiders often get around even the toughest prevention measures. When that happens, you’re going to need professional help. Here at Overson Pest Control, customer satisfaction is our top priority! All of our home pest control programs include unlimited free re-services, so you’ll have peace of mind that your spider problem won't return. Give us a call at (602) 962-2272 or visit our contact page at Overson Pest Control to get your free quote!