Spiders are common household pests throughout the United States. They belong to the arachnid family, including other creepy crawlies like scorpions and ticks. For their safety, homeowners should learn how to identify which spiders in their area are dangerous and how to keep them off of their property with professional pest control in Salt Lake City.
Why Are Some People In Salt Lake City Afraid Of Spiders?
Fear of spiders is a common phobia. There are over 45,000 types of spiders worldwide. Of this large number, only a tiny fraction are dangerous to humans. The threat of spider bites and the general spooky appearance of spiders is enough to instill fear in most of us. The fear of spiders is known as arachnophobia. According to the Cleveland Clinic, an estimated three to 15 percent of the world's population suffers from arachnophobia. To put that into perspective, at least 237 million people have arachnophobia!
Types Of Dangerous Spiders & What They Look Like
There are many species of spiders that call Salt Lake City home. A few dangerous spider species are considered common house spiders in Salt Lake City. Some examples of dangerous spiders within Salt Lake City include the black widow spider, the hobo spider, and the brown recluse spider.
The black widow spider is found worldwide. They have round, shiny, black bodies with a notorious red hourglass marking on their abdomen. Black widow spiders measure around an inch and a half in length, and it is rumored that the females eat their mates. They construct messy, irregular webs and prefer to stay close to the ground in a warm, dark area.
The hobo spider is so named for its propensity to hitch rides on people, animals, and vehicles to get from place to place. They are light brown in color, with a dark stripe running down their midline. Hobo spiders are only slightly smaller than black widow spiders, and they, too, like to keep low to the ground. They prefer dark, moist areas where they can build their funnel-shaped webs.
The brown recluse spider ranges in color from beige to dark brown. They are relatively small compared to the previously mentioned black widow and hobo spiders, measuring up to half an inch long. Brown recluse spiders have a characteristic dark, violin-shaped marking on their abdomen. As their name suggests, brown recluse spiders prefer to be left alone in a dark, undisturbed location. They may wander into your home during cooler months to seek shelter.
Are Spiders Dangerous Enough To Kill People?
In some cases, poisonous spiders are capable of killing people and pets. For example, the black widow spider's venom is 15 times more potent than a rattlesnake. The black widow spider venom causes fever, high blood pressure, and nausea. If left untreated, a black widow spider bite can be fatal. Additionally, brown recluse spiders bites can be especially dangerous to children and the elderly. The brown recluse spider's venom causes tissues to die and damages blood vessels. On the other hand, it is unclear whether or not hobo spiders are poisonous to people. Still, their bites cause pain and redness and may be harmful to small pets.
How To Safely Get Rid Of Dangerous Spiders On Your Property
To prevent spiders from coming onto your Salt Lake City property in the first place, homeowners can follow these easy tips:
- Reduce clutter
- Seal cracks
- Install window and door screens
- Keep things off of the floor
- Manage other insect infestations
If you suspect an active infestation, it is best to leave that to the professionals. For reliable home pest control in Salt Lake City, reach out to Pest Pro Pest Control. We can safely identify and remove spiders from your Salt Lake City property. Give Pest Pro Pest Control a call today!