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Spiders are quite common in Arizona, whether they’re in houses or apartments spinning their webs or traipsing through the desert – there are about 26 different species of spiders that call Arizona their home, and these are some of the most common spiders you’ll see in the state:

Tarantula

Tarantulas are one of the most common spiders you’ll see scuttling about in Arizona. While there are many species of tarantula, the ones you’ll see are usually brown in color and can grow to 5 inches in size. They’re hairy and large, and while they have been known to go into houses, they’re typically found outdoors. While many people find tarantulas frightening, they’re actually quite shy and only bite if they feel threatened. They possess only mild venom, and people who’ve been bitten by tarantulas say the pain is similar to that of a wasp’s sting.
Check out our dedicated entry for tarantulas here.

Wolf Spider

Often mistaken for the more dangerous Brown Recluse, wolf spiders are typically brown to gray in color. They have distinctive markings on their backs – but not the violin-shaped marking behind the head of a Recluse Spider. They rarely show aggression to humans, and while they’re venomous, their venom is not toxic to us. Same as a number of other spiders like the tarantula, they only bite when threatened.

Wolf spiders don’t spin webs and spend the night hunting for food. They carry their egg sacs with them, and once hatched, the spiderlings will climb onto their mother’s back and stay there for several days.

While they may be found indoors near doors, houseplants, basements and garages, these spiders prefer to be outdoors near sources of water.

House Spider

Also commonly mistaken for the Brown Recluse is the American house spider, also known as the common house spider. As the name suggests, they’re typically found indoors in homes, garages, and sheds. They have yellow brown bodies and grey brown abdomens with short hair.

These spiders are not known to be dangerous to humans, though they will bite if threatened.

Black Widow

Perhaps the most common spider in the state, Black Widow spiders are also one of the more difficult spiders to detect early since they hide in dark, low-lying places. While it’s difficult to spot them before they bite you, they’re one of the more easily identifiable spiders as they have shiny black bodies and a distinctive red hour-glass shape on their backs.

They’re not aggressive spiders, but they are venomous and their bites may cause extreme pain. If bitten by one, it is important to seek medical attention, especially for the young and elderly or those with compromised immune systems.

Desert Recluse

Recluse spiders have a violin-shaped marking on their bodies, however with Desert Recluse spiders, these markings may be hard to see. Theyare tan or yellowish-tan in color with light brown abdomens. They’re a bit more aggressive than the other spiders on thelist and their bites are painful and may be necrotic – that is, tissue-destroying. If you suspect that you’ve been bitten by a Recluse spider, seek medical attention.

If you have a spider infestation in, you may want to get in touch with a professional pest control company. Not only does Watchdog Pest Control get rid of spiders on your property, but we make sure they don’t come back!