If you live in Arizona, you’ve probably seen spiders, scorpions, or even a termite or two around your home. Most species of spiders are harmless, but some of them can cause serious problems with their venomous bites.
Knowing how to spot these dangerous spiders and prevent a spider infestation can help you keep your home safe.
Key Takeaways
- Arizona has five poisonous spiders that can sometimes be found in homes, garages, basements, and woodpiles.
- Black widow, Arizona brown, and desert recluse bites can cause serious symptoms, while wolf and hobo bites are less harmful.
- Simple prevention steps include sealing cracks, reducing clutter, storing firewood away, using yellow lights, and regular cleaning.
- Pest control professionals can help remove spiders and prevent infestations when home prevention methods are not enough.
1. Black Widow Spider
The black widow spider is one of the most well-known venomous spiders in North America. You can recognize it by its shiny black body and the bright red hourglass marking on its belly.
The female black widow is more dangerous than the male because of her strong spider venom. They like dark places such as garages, crawl spaces, basements, and woodpiles.
Black widow bites can cause muscle cramps, nausea, and sweating. Sometimes, people need medical attention if the symptoms get worse.
If you spot one, contact a pest control professional to remove it and prevent more infestations.
2. Arizona Brown Spider
The Arizona brown spider looks like its close relative, the brown recluse spider, because of its violin-shaped marking on its back. It likes dark, quiet habitats like closets, attics, and basements.
Its bite can cause necrosis, which is when skin tissue dies, leading to painful sores. While it’s rarely fatal, it’s important to see a doctor if you have a bad reaction.
3. Desert Recluse
Similar to the brown recluse spider, the desert recluse has a violin-shaped marking and hides in places like woodpiles, sheds, and crawl spaces. Its bite can cause redness, swelling, and sometimes necrosis.
Although not all bites are severe, it’s best to be cautious.
4. Wolf Spider
The wolf spider is one of the largest common spiders in Arizona. With its hairy, black body, this spider is a fast hunter that doesn’t spin webs.
While its bite might feel like a bee sting, it isn’t dangerous. They often wander into garages, crawl spaces, and basements while searching for food.
5. Hobo Spider
The hobo spider is sometimes found in basements, crawl spaces, and other dark areas. It has a brown body with a herringbone pattern on its abdomen. Although its bite was once believed to cause necrosis, recent studies show that it’s less harmful than people thought.
Still, it’s best to avoid contact and take steps to prevent these house spiders from getting inside.
How to Prevent Spider Infestations in Your Arizona Home
Spiders come inside looking for food and shelter, but you can keep them out with these simple steps:
- Use caulk to close gaps around windows, doors, and foundations.
- Keep your home clutter-free.
- Store firewood away from your house.
- Keep woodpiles at least 20 feet from your home.
- Choose yellow or sodium vapor lights to reduce insects that attract spiders.
- Vacuum corners, under furniture, and around baseboards.
When to Call a Pest Control Professional
While DIY methods can help reduce spider numbers, a serious spider infestation needs expert help. At Green Home Pest Control, we offer reliable spider control and pest control services for homeowners in Phoenix and throughout Arizona. Our treatments target both common spiders and venomous spiders to keep your home safe.
For a free quote, contact us today. Our team is ready to help you get rid of unwanted arachnids and prevent future infestations.
21 years of pest control experience
Founder and Owner of Green Home Pest Control
13 year resident of Arizona
