Recluse spiders in Arizona are one of the most feared arachnids, even though the majority of them are not harmful or venomous.
In fact, Arizona only has three common, venomous spider groups: black widow, brown widow, and recluse spider groups.
Residents of Arizona have a growing fear of recluse spiders because their bite is poisonous and extremely harmful to humans, possibly causing a shallow open sore (which is a condition called “loxoscelism,” derived from the genus name of the spider: Loxosceles).
While recluse spiders are primarily found in the Midwest, there are 3 species likely to be found in Arizona: the desert recluse, the Arizona recluse, and possibly the brown recluse.
How To Identify Recluse Spiders in Arizona
People often wonder: Are there recluse spiders in Arizona? Yes, there are, and identifying them can be tricky.
They are typically brown all over and often have a distinctive “violin” shape on their bodies, although spotting this can be tough.
Sometimes, folks mistake them for other brown spiders with dark markings, like striped wolf spiders. It’s worth noting that Arizona is home to a total of 12 native spider species, including nine others besides the recluse.
But fear not, there are some telltale signs to look out for, especially with recluse spiders in Arizona.
They usually have six eyes in pairs, long, slender legs, and measure between 3/8 and 1/2 of an inch in length. Spotting these features might require getting a bit closer for a better look.
Read also: Poisonous Spider In California: The 5 Most Deadly Species
What is the Behavior of Recluse Spiders in Arizona?
Recluse spiders are special arachnids that exhibit unique characteristics and are often not easy to identify, but here you will learn about a few.
Recluse spiders in Arizona, like all other spiders, prey on smaller bugs, such as crickets, ants, and cockroaches.
They want to be undisturbed when they make their webs, and they will camp out and lie at their webs during the day. At night, they leave their web to forage, looking for insects they couldn’t capture.
Do Brown Recluse Spiders Live in Arizona?
Unfortunately, these spiders also live near urban areas and enjoy seeking shelter near homes. They take shelter outside in piles of firewood, leaves, or rocks.
If they manage to get into someone’s house, they can be found in dark areas, like basements or attics, piles of clutter or clothing, behind furniture, or in cracks and crevices. These areas give them a cool, comfortable, and safe feeling.
Read also: New York Wolf Spider: Amazing Facts About This Species
How to Prevent Recluse Spiders in Arizona
Lots of folks have tried various methods to kick recluse spiders out of their homes, but here’s the good news:
- The most effective way to stop them from moving in is to cut off their food supply. That means keeping your home clean and free of pests, especially crickets, ants, and cockroaches.
If spiders can’t find any tasty snacks, they are less likely to want to hang around. - Another helpful tip is to keep your rooms well-lit and tidy. Remember, recluse spiders prefer dark, cluttered spaces, so keeping things bright and organized can make your home less inviting to them.
- And don’t forget to seal up any cracks and use insecticide spray regularly.
- Caulking up holes will stop pests from sneaking in.
- Insecticides will help keep them at bay.
Read also: Signs of Brown Recluse Infestation
Conclusion
Keeping pests out of your home is a top priority, especially when it comes to dangerous ones like recluse spiders.
Their bites can be harmful to your family, so it’s crucial to use what you’ve learned about identifying them and their habits to keep them away and keep everyone safe. They’re a real threat.
And hey, these tips aren’t just for recluse spiders; they will help keep all sorts of creepy crawlies out, especially as the weather cools down and they start looking for cozy spots to settle in.
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