Spiders are found all over the world and are very common. Some are more frequent visitors than others, some are harmless, and some should be avoided. Here in Northern Colorado, there a few common spiders that that we should get to know. Sometimes identifying a specific spider can prove to be challenging. Most people squash them before they can be identified and are left wondering what kind of spider it was. Spiders are mostly beneficial to the environment because they kill and eat insects. Most people don’t want them in their home and that’s understandable. Many of the spiders that call Northern Colorado home won’t release enough venom to hurt humans, only cause irritation. However, there are a few you should watch out for. So, what are the most common spiders found locally and how can you identify them? Effective Pest Services has the answers to your burning questions!
Yellow Sac Spider
These spiders are one of the most common spiders in Northern Colorado homes. Unlike other spiders who build webs to catch their prey, these spiders are excellent hunters and foragers. They can cover large areas quickly and prefer to hunt under the cover of nightfall when the rest of the bugs come out to breed and feed. This is when most people receive bites; while they sleep. Yellow sac spiders are known for building sack-like nests to rest in during the day, these sacs are typically found in high, dry places such as in the corner of a room between the wall and the ceiling. They have long legs, with the two front legs being the longest. They have black “feet” that come equipped with tiny hairs that aid them in scaling walls quickly. Their colors vary from a pale yellow to a pale green and some even being a shade of brown which varies depending on their diet. Their bites can be compared to that of a bee sting or wasp sting, painful but not dangerous like a brown recluse or black widow. There are two main species of yellow Sac spider in North America, Cheiracanthium inclusum which is native to North America, and the C. Mildei which came from Europe.
Brown Recluse Spider
Brown Recluse spiders live up to their name, they tend to be reclusive and like to stay out of sight in low traffic areas. They tend to live in large groups, where you may find one, you will find more. Since these spiders are known to frequent our area, it is important that you know how to identify them. Their bites can make people very ill, children and the elderly are especially at risk. Most spiders have 8 eyes, not the Brown Recluse, they only have 6! Their bodies vary in color from a sandy brown, to dark brown, or even slightly yellow. Their legs are a solid lighter brown color with no stripes or variation in markings, they will never be darker than their bodies. If the spider you are looking at has more than one color on its legs, you are not dealing with a brown recluse. You will also find a violin shaped marking that is slightly darker than the rest of their body. It is not always clearly defined, but you can be sure it’s not a brown recluse if the violin shape you are looking at varies in color. If you’ve been bitten by a Brown Recluse, monitor yourself or others for symptoms that include, fever, chills, nausea or sweating after a bite, if you experience any of these symptoms seek medical attention right away.
Black Widow Spider
These are the more easily identifiable of the poisonous spiders. They are jet-black and shiny with no hair on the body. Females are identified by the markings on their underside which can be two triangles, an hourglass or three dots. Most black widows have a red marking on the belly in one of these shapes, but the color is known to vary slightly from yellow to orange as well. The males and juveniles may be a bit more of a challenge to identify. They vary in shades of brown with white markings on the top of their abdomens. Black widows weave large irregular shaped webs to catch their prey. They prefer dry, dark spaces that are close to the ground. If you find a web that is up high or in direct sunlight, you’re probably not dealing with a black widow. If you’ve been bitten by a black widow, seek medical attention.
Spider Pest Inspections, Exclusion, Control, Removal & More in Wellington, Fort Collins, Timnath, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder, Johnstown, Berthoud, Estes Park & Loveland, CO | Northern Colorado
Spider control is best left to the professionals. If you’ve found spiders around your home, call Effective Pest Services for an in-home inspection today!
