Of all the pests in Vernal, Utah, spiders are probably the most feared of all. Many people have intense fears of these arachnids, and even those who don’t mind spiders much can find them off-putting. While it’s true that spiders are rather creepy to look at, most of them aren’t dangerous to humans. The vast majority of spiders in the area are harmless, but this still doesn’t make them good houseguests.
To help you identify spiders around the area, we’ve put together a brief guide to the most notable area species.
Black widow spiders: While most spiders in Vernal can’t hurt you, the black widow spider is dangerous. These spiders are jet black with a red hourglass marking on the underbellies, and they should be avoided and taken seriously.
Wolf spiders: This species looks intimidating because they are fast and rather large, but they are harmless to humans. They have brown, gray, and black markings and short, stout legs.
Brown recluse spiders: The brown recluse spider is the only other dangerous spider in the area. While they aren’t as common as the black widow, it’s still important to know what they look like. They are light brown with a violin-shaped pattern behind their heads.
Funnel-web spiders: Commonly known as hobo spiders, this species isn’t considered dangerous despite what you might have heard. They are a brown color with dark-colored markings on their backs.
Spider Bites And Venom
One interesting fact about spiders is that all of them have both venom and fangs. They use these physical traits to incapacitate their prey, but most spiders in North America don’t have potent enough venom to be considered medically dangerous to humans. Only the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider are dangerous to people. However, since both are native to the area, it’s important to be aware of them and take precautions.
You’re more likely to have other harmless spiders around your property than you are one of these two species, but infestations of brown recluse and black widow spiders do happen. And, if you are bitten, it can lead to serious medical issues.
Identifying Dangerous Spiders
The most obvious way to tell if you’ve come across a black widow or brown recluse spider is if you see one. However, while black widow spiders are fairly easy to recognize, the brown recluse is not. It’s actually one of the most commonly misidentified spiders. One of the best ways to tell if a spider is a brown recluse instead of another species such as the hobo spider is by markings. Brown recluse spiders don’t have any markings on their legs.
If you suspect you’ve been bitten by either a brown recluse or a black widow spider, you should seek medical help right away. Individual reactions to spider bites can vary, but a black widow spider bite generally looks like two small fang marks, and a brown recluse bite is often accompanied by a rash in the shape of a bulls-eye. If in doubt, it’s always best to get the bite checked out just to be safe.
The Best Way To Prevent And Control Spiders
If you’ve been noticing spiders around your Vernal home, the best way to remove them and to control them throughout the year is with help from the professionals at J&M Pest Control. We provide ongoing assistance to keep your property free of spiders as we prevent and eliminate both spiders and their pest prey.
To get started with our residential pest control plans, request a free inspection online or by giving us a call at (435) 246-7264.