7 Common Spiders You Might See in Phoenix

Spiders are among the sneakiest of the pests you might see in your Phoenix home. They are nocturnal meaning they come out at night after a full day of hiding in cracks, crevices, crawl spaces, garages, and in and around yards, stored boxes and other clutter.

The year round temperatures of the desert make for a comfortable spider environment.

Common spiders you might see in Phoenix include the black widow, brown recluse, tarantula, and wolf spider. While some are actually dangerous if you are bitten by them, some just get a bad rap from pop culture and urban legends.

If you see a spider of any type or signs of spiders, we recommend leaving it alone and calling Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination, your professional Phoenix pest control company.

Here are the seven common spiders you might see in Phoenix:

Black Widow:

Possibly the most popular spider found in the area, 22 of the 39 species of black widows call Arizona home. Their webs are made of the strongest silk where they catch flies, grasshoppers, moths, beetles, and even other spiders. While their venom affects the nervous system of humans, contrary to popular hysteria, it is not likely fatal.

 

 

Brown Recluse:

Also called fiddle-back or violin spiders because of the brown colored shape on their backs, you’re likely to see the species of brown recluse called Sonoran Brown or Mojave Brown. And if you see one, don’t bother it. They are among the deadliest of spiders found around the world.

 

 

 

Giant Crab Spider:

While you might feel the bite of this larger desert dweller, it’s likely you won’t experience other symptoms. Look out for these Phoenix spiders on vertical surfaces like trees and shrubs. Interestingly, they don’t spin a web, opting to overpower their prey instead.

 

 

 

Black and Yellow Garden Spider:

As named, these spiders are colored boldly in black and yellow and are most often found in orchards or gardens. While it might surprise you to find this colorful visitor among your roses or tomatoes, it’s not likely to bite you. If it does, a mild reaction is typically all you will have.

 

 

 

Jumping Spider:

Small, hairy spiders with two eyes centered at the front of their head, jumping spiders only jump on their prey and are not dangerous to humans. In fact, they are so small you may not even notice them.

 

 

 

Tarantula:

The tarantula is the world’s largest spider and is perhaps the most misunderstood, at least in terms of urban legend. Often portrayed as killer spiders, the venom of these hairy arachnids is milder than a honeybee. You’re likely to see them crawling out of washes or on the pavement during the summer.

 

 

Wolf Spider:

You might think it strange these water loving spiders like Phoenix but they do. Pools, lakes, and canals make a great environment for these poisonous (not deadly) spiders. Leave them alone and you’re safe from harm.