Did you know that the vast majority of spiders in Salt Lake City, Utah are considered harmless? This might seem surprising given how scary these arachnids look, but most species in the United States aren’t able to hurt people or pets.
While it’s true that all spiders have fangs and venom that they use to hunt and eat their prey, most of them don’t have potent enough venom to harm something larger than an insect. The only two spiders in the country that are considered dangerous are the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider, and while they do occasionally enter Utah homes, they are rather rare.
However, just because most spiders you find around your property aren’t going to hurt you, it doesn’t mean you want them around. They are upsetting to encounter, and they aren’t welcome houseguests.
A Guide To Salt Lake City Spiders
While many spider species are prevalent in the area, there are a few that invade homes more often. To help you identify spiders and tell apart the harmless ones from the harmful, we’ve provided a brief guide on some of the most common species around:
- Black Widow Spider: This notorious, dangerous species has a jet black, bulbous body with a characteristic red, hourglass shape on its underbelly.
- Wolf Spider: These spiders look intimidated because they are large, fast, and hairy, but they aren’t going to harm you. They have brown, grey, and black markings and stocky legs.
- Funnel-Web Spider: Known locally as hobo spiders, this species was once thought to be dangerous but isn’t anymore. They have brown bodies and yellow markings. They often have striped markings on their legs.
- Brown Recluse Spider: This species is often confused with other species such as the funnel-web spider, but brown recluses are dangerous. They are usually a tan color, but they lack any markings on their legs. They also have a violin-shaped marking behind their heads.
Six Spider Prevention Tips
When it comes to preventing spiders, the biggest overall thing you need to do is to prevent their pest prey. Spiders don’t come into buildings in search of shelter, but instead, they come inside in the process of hunting prey. Because of this, having other small pests will often attract spiders, too.
In order to prevent spiders, follow these six steps to keep both them and their pest prey out:
- Clear clutter away from your yard and inside of your home. Make sure to keep your property free of trash and to clean up organic debris like grass clippings and leaf piles.
- Remove any old webs from both inside and outside of your home.
- Keep firewood stored at least 30 feet away from the building in a dry, organized manner.
- Make sure to cover all trash cans with lids and take out the garbage often.
- Deter insects by keeping kitchen spaces clean and free of food and drink spills.
- Reduce excess moisture around the home by fixing leaky faucets and using dehumidifiers in humid rooms.
How To Remove Spider Infestations
If you’re dealing with spiders around your home already and want them gone, the safest and easiest way to do so is with assistance from Pest Pro Pest Control. We have decades of experience handling spiders and their pest prey, and we can provide ongoing help to keep all of these pests away for good.
Find out more about our affordable residential pest control options by giving us a call or requesting an inspection online.