SPIDERS

The black widow is Utah’s most dangerous spider and one of the easiest to identify. Females are jet black with a distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas like garages, woodpiles, crawl spaces, and window wells. Their venom is a neurotoxin that can cause muscle pain, cramping, and nausea. If you spot a black widow on your property, don’t try to handle it; call us right away.

Hobo spiders are common throughout Utah and are often mistaken for other species. They build funnel-shaped webs at ground level and are most active in late summer and fall. Recent scientific research has debunked claims about their venom causing serious tissue damage; however, they are still a nuisance pest, and infestations can grow quickly without professional treatment.

Wolf spiders are large, fast-moving, and intimidating, but they are not considered dangerous to humans. Unlike most spiders, they don’t spin webs. Instead, they actively hunt insects on the ground. You’ll often find them in basements, garages, and along door frames. Their size alone is enough reason for most Utah homeowners to want them gone, and our treatments effectively reduce wolf spider populations.

Those are almost certainly orb weaver spiders; they create those impressive circular webs you see around porch lights and garden areas in late summer. Orb weavers are not dangerous to humans, but their webs can be a persistent nuisance around the exterior of your home. Nature’s Balance removes existing webs as part of our regular exterior treatments.

Basements and garages are prime spider territory. They’re dark, undisturbed, and often damp. Cellar spiders (daddy long-legs) and hobo spiders are the most frequent pests in these areas. They also tend to follow their food source, so if you have other insects in these spaces, spiders won’t be far behind. A professional inspection can identify exactly what’s drawing them in and how to stop it.

Often yes. Spiders follow their food source and if you’re seeing a lot of spiders inside your home it can be a sign that other insects like flies, mosquitoes, or ants are also present. At Nature’s Balance, we don’t just treat the spiders; we address the underlying insect populations that attract them, which helps reduce spider activity long-term.

Spider activity peaks in late summer and early fall, which is typically August through October, when spiders are actively searching for mates and warmer shelter heading into winter. However, spiders can be a problem year-round in Utah, especially indoors during the winter months.