Spiders

Spiders in Arizona: Prevention and Control

Arizona’s diverse landscape is home to a variety of spider species, from the harmless to the potentially dangerous. At Conquistador Pest & Termite in Tucson, we understand the importance of keeping your home spider-free. Let’s explore some common Arizona spiders and learn how to keep them out of your house.
Tucson Pest Library: Tarantula
Tucson Pest Library: Black Widow

Common Arizona Spiders

Arizona Brown Spiders

Spiders Although Arizona doesn’t have the well-known brown recluse spider, it is home to its close relative—the Arizona brown spider. These spiders are venomous and often found indoors, where they like to hide in quiet, undisturbed places such as clothing, bedding, and storage areas. Their presence can pose a risk, so it’s essential to recognize and avoid them.

Arizona brown spiders are light brown with long, thin legs and a distinctive violin-shaped marking on their head. They have three pairs of eyes, which is unusual for most spiders. While their webs may not stand out, they build messy shelters in woodpiles, garages, sheds, and even closets. These spiders are especially drawn to cardboard, which resembles the rotting tree bark they naturally inhabit.

Inside homes, they are often discovered in tucked-away spots like shoes, work gloves, dresser drawers, and unused bed sheets. They tend to hide near warmth when temperatures drop. Unfortunately, people usually come into contact with them by accident, disturbing their hiding spots and prompting a defensive bite.

A bite from an Arizona brown spider can range from mild irritation to serious health issues, including tissue damage that may require medical attention. If you suspect you’ve been bitten, seek medical care promptly to avoid complications. Being cautious and aware of these spiders’ favorite hiding places can help keep you and your family safe.

Black Widow Spiders

spiders Black widow spiders are among the most venomous spiders in North America, and Arizona is home to these notorious arachnids. While male and juvenile black widows are harmless, female black widows can pose a danger to humans, especially when protecting their eggs. Their bites, though rarely fatal, can cause serious symptoms that require medical attention.

Female black widows are easy to identify. They have shiny, round black bodies with a distinctive red, hourglass-shaped marking on their underside. These spiders tend to spin messy webs close to the ground in areas like woodpiles, under stones, or in cluttered spaces such as basements, garages, and storage areas.

Black widow bites can cause symptoms like nausea, high fever, and increased blood pressure. While these bites are rarely life-threatening, they should always be taken seriously. To reduce the risk of encountering black widows, clear clutter, wear gloves when working in areas they might inhabit, and store firewood at least five feet away from your home.

If you suspect black widows are on your property, it’s best to contact a pest control professional. They can safely remove the spiders and provide recommendations to prevent them from returning, helping to keep your home and family safe.

Other Common Spiders in Arizona

Orb Weaver Spiders

Known for their round, intricate webs often found in gardens or near water, orb weaver spiders are brightly colored and harmless to humans. While they may appear intimidating, they only bite when provoked, and their venom poses no real threat.

Wolf Spiders

These fast-moving hunters don’t use webs but chase their prey at night, often startling people due to their large, hairy appearance. Though they rarely bite, their venom is harmless, and sealing cracks can help keep them out of your home.

Tarantulas

Arizona’s tarantulas are large and hairy but surprisingly docile. They rarely bite, and their venom causes minimal irritation. Typically found outdoors in dry soil, they only emerge during monsoon season or when seeking prey.

How to Keep Spiders Out of Your Home

Spiders can be unwelcome guests in your home, but there are effective ways to keep them at bay. By sealing entry points, reducing clutter, and minimizing outdoor attractions, you can make your home less inviting to these pests.

Seal Your House
The most effective way to keep spiders out is to block their entry points. Inspect your home for gaps or cracks where spiders might slip inside.

  • Check for cracks around windows and doors and seal them with caulk.
  • Fix holes in window screens to prevent access.
  • Install door sweeps under exterior doors to close off gaps.
  • Inspect your home’s foundation and seal any visible openings.

Clean and Declutter
Spiders love to hide in messy, undisturbed spaces. Regular cleaning can help keep them away.

  • Vacuum frequently, especially in corners, under furniture, and along baseboards.
  • Keep storage areas organized and free of unnecessary clutter.
  • Remove spider webs whenever you see them to discourage their return.

Reduce Outdoor Attractions
The area around your home can be just as important as the inside when it comes to spider prevention.

  • Trim plants and shrubs so they don’t touch your house, reducing easy access for spiders.
  • Store firewood at least five feet away from your home and off the ground.
  • Use yellow outdoor lights, which attract fewer insects (and in turn, fewer spiders).

Control Other Pests
Spiders often come indoors looking for food—other bugs. Eliminating their food source can make your home less appealing.

  • Fix leaky pipes to reduce moisture that attracts insects.
  • Store food in airtight containers to keep bugs away.
  • Take out the trash regularly and ensure lids are secure.

Call in the Professionals
While these steps can significantly reduce spiders in your home, sometimes professional help is needed. At Conquistador Pest & Termite, we provide:

  • Comprehensive home inspections to identify spider entry points.
  • Safe and effective spider removal tailored to Arizona’s unique species.
  • Ongoing pest control services to keep spiders and their prey out for good.

Call Conquistador Pest

Spiders are scary! Contact Conquistador Pest to help you with Arizona brown spider control and extermination. Our licensed and insured exterminators will identify problem areas and work with you to determine the best possible ways to solve issues. Read about the other Tucson pest control services we offer. We also provide termite control and weed control.
(520) 462-2630

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