Most of the time, the Las Vegas spiders are beneficial. They are excellent at eliminating pests in the garden, such as ravenous caterpillars, and they consume domestic pests like cockroaches, flies, and moths.
If you live in Nevada, you are certainly aware of the prevalence of spiders inside your home and may have even sought the services of a pest control company like ours.
Las Vegas is famous for its dazzling lights, bustling nightlife, and thriving desert landscape. However, beyond the neon glow and casino floors, there is a lesser-known yet fascinating world of spiders.
These eight-legged creatures are integral to the local ecosystem, helping to control insect populations.
With this in mind, let’s talk about some of the spiders common to the Las Vegas area, how to identify them, and what to do if you get bit by a Las Vegas spider.
What are the Top 5 Las Vegas Spiders?
There are 5 unique Las Vegas spiders, and listed below are these spiders as well as a well-detailed description of what they look like:
- Black widow
- Wolf spiders
- Desert recluse spiders
- Camel spiders
- Orb weaver spiders
Read also:Â Termites In Las Vegas: What Is Their Business With the City Of Nevada?
The Black Widow Las Vegas Spider
While there aren’t that many dangerous Las Vegas spiders, there is one in particular that a person should be wary of. This is the black widow spider.
These spiders are a shiny black color, with a rounded abdomen that contains a red hourglass shape in the center. A related widow, the Malmignatte, has red blotches on her abdomen.
Female black widow spiders are about half an inch long, while the males are much smaller. Only the females bite. Fortunately, they are docile, but they will bite if/when threatened.
It’s best to leave them alone and let pest control professionals in Las Vegas rid your home of black widows.
The Wolf Spider of Las Vegas
These spiders are hunters, and sometimes they enter the home in search of prey. There are thousands of species of wolf spiders, and hundreds of those are found north of Mexico.
They range from 0.6 to 1.5 inches long and have good vision and a well-developed sense of touch. They range from gray to brown, with stripes or mottling over their body and legs.
Females carry their egg sac with their hind legs, and when the young hatch, they ride on her back.
Wolf spiders are large, hairy spiders that can look intimidating. Unlike web-building spiders, wolf spiders are hunters that actively pursue their prey.
They are commonly found in yards and gardens, where they help control pest populations. Despite their fierce appearance, wolf spiders are not dangerous to humans.
The Desert Recluse Las Vegas Spider
Often mistaken for the more infamous brown recluse, the desert recluse is a resident of the Las Vegas area. These spiders are brown with a violin-shaped marking on their backs.
They prefer dry, undisturbed places like woodpiles and basements. Bites can cause significant skin damage and require medical attention.
the desert recluse is found in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts. The desert recluse is found in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico.
Due to their aesthetic likenesses, desert recluse spiders are often mistakenly identified as brown recluse spiders. Desert recluse spiders also have only six eyes, as opposed to the eight eyes present in most other spider species.
Like the brown recluse, these eyes are arranged in three pairs known as dyads. Desert recluses are generally sandy or tan in color, with light brown abdomens.
The characteristic fiddle shape of the brown recluse also is present on the body of the desert recluse.
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The Camel Spider of Las Vegas
Also known as wind scorpions or sun spiders, camel spiders are not true spiders but belong to a related group called solifuges. They are fast runners and have large jaws, which they use to hunt insects and small animals.
Camel spiders are often found in desert environments and can occasionally wander into homes.
Camel spiders, more properly known as solifugids, are an elusive order of arachnids native to deserts all over the world (pretty much everywhere except in Australia and Antarctica).
There are thought to be around 1,100 species, most of which haven’t been studied. This is partly because the animals are a notorious pain to observe in the wild, and partly because they seem to wither away in the lab.
The Orb Weaver Las Vegas Spider
Orb weavers are known for their intricate, wheel-shaped webs, often seen in gardens and around outdoor lights.
These spiders come in various colors and sizes and are generally harmless to humans. They play a vital role in catching flying insects.
Orb weavers are a type of spider commonly found in garden beds and on trees.
However, they also can be found in tall grass, inside homes, and under porches. They live all across the United States, including in Alaska and Hawaii, and throughout Canada and Mexico.
The orb weaver spider is one of the largest families of spiders, with over 2,800 distinct species.
How to Keep Las Vegas Spiders Away
While spiders play a crucial role in the ecosystem, you might prefer to keep them out of your living space. Here are some practical tips to reduce these Las Vegas spider encounters:
- Regular cleaning can help eliminate food sources and reduce the clutter where spiders like to hide.
- Make sure windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent spiders from entering your home.
- Reduce outdoor lighting or use yellow bulbs that are less attractive to insects, which in turn will attract fewer spiders.
- Regularly sweeping away webs can discourage spiders from settling in your home.
Read also:Â Camel Spiders in Las Vegas: Facts You Should Know If You Are A Visitor
Conclusion
Las Vegas spiders play a crucial role in controlling insect populations.
While some can be risky, most are harmless and avoid humans. By learning about the different types of spiders and taking simple steps to keep them out, you can live with these interesting creatures without fear.
Whether you like them or not, spiders are an important part of nature in Las Vegas. Thanks for reading!
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