Arizona Spiders: What's That Spider in Your Phoenix-Area Home?
Short answer: most big spiders in Arizona houses are wolf spiders, giant crab (huntsman) spiders or camel spiders, and none of them is dangerous. The two to take seriously are the black widow and the Arizona brown spider.
Common Spiders in Arizona Homes, Ranked by Risk
- Take seriously: black widow and Arizona brown spider (the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center lists both).
- Painful bite, not dangerous: giant crab spider, Arizona's huntsman spider (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum).
- Harmless to people: wolf spiders (Penn State Extension) and camel spiders, which have no venom (University of Arizona Cooperative Extension).
If someone is bitten: wash the bite with soap and water, put a cool compress on it, and call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (24 hours). Call 911 for trouble breathing or swelling of the lips (Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center).
Wolf Spiders in Arizona: The Big Spider on the Floor
The Carolina wolf spider is about an inch long in the body, gray to dark brown, with orange on the front of its jaws. It hunts on the ground at night, and its eyes shine green in a flashlight beam. Outdoors it lives in a burrow with a little turret of silk and twigs, and females carry their spiderlings on their backs (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum). Wolf spiders can't climb smooth walls, so you find them on floors, in garages and along baseboards.
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Camel Spiders in Arizona: Fast, Scary-Looking, No Venom
Camel spiders go by sun spider, wind scorpion and solpugid. They are arachnids but not true spiders. Southwest species are about half an inch to 1¾ inches long, with huge jaws and no stinger. They run fast at night, hunt insects, and dart toward shade, which is why they seem to chase people. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension says none are known to have venom and recommends trapping one under a jar and putting it outside.
Huntsman Spiders in Arizona: The Giant Crab Spider on the Ceiling
Arizona's huntsman spider is the giant crab spider. It is light to medium brown, with a leg span of about 2 inches and legs held out to the sides. It runs sideways, hides in narrow cracks by day, and is often seen high on walls and ceilings because, unlike a wolf spider, it can climb smooth surfaces. Its bite is reportedly painful but not dangerous (Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum).
Black Widows and Arizona Brown Spiders: The Two That Matter
A black widow is glossy black with a red or orange hourglass underneath. It builds messy, low webs in garages, block-wall cracks, meter boxes and patio furniture. The Arizona brown spider is tan to brown and is often mistaken for the brown recluse; its bite can be slow to heal (Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center). See black widow and spider control for how we treat both.
Spider Bites in Arizona: What to Do
Most spiders in Phoenix-area homes, including wolf spiders and giant crab spiders, can bite but are not dangerous. For any spider bite, the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center advises washing the bite with soap and water, using a cool compress, and calling Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for advice. Call 911 for trouble breathing or swelling of the lips. If you can do it safely, keep the spider or take a photo so it can be identified. Finding black widows in the garage or block wall more than once is a sign to book spider control.
Signs Your Spider Problem Is an Infestation
- Black widow webs or round, papery egg sacs in the garage, meter box or under patio furniture.
- Wolf spiders or crab spiders inside more than once a week.
- Lots of crickets, roaches or other insects around the house. Spiders follow their food.
- Gaps under doors and garage doors, torn screens, and clutter stacked against walls.
Spider Control in Phoenix: What the Service Does and Costs
A spider control visit removes webs and egg sacs, treats the perimeter, garage, eaves and block-wall cracks, and goes after the crickets and other insects that feed spiders. A one-time diagnostic visit with treatment is $149. The plan is $50/month with treatment every 60 days and free callbacks. Start a plan the same day and your visit fee covers your first 3 months of the plan. Full-yard Power Spray starts at $125. See pest control cost for every option.
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Arizona Spider Questions from Phoenix-Area Homeowners
What is the most common big spider in Arizona houses?
In Phoenix-area homes the big, fast spiders people find are usually wolf spiders on the floor and giant crab spiders (a huntsman spider) high on walls and ceilings. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum notes the giant crab spider can climb smooth walls, while the wolf spider stays on the ground.
Are wolf spiders in Arizona dangerous?
No. Penn State Extension says wolf spiders bite only if handled or trapped against the skin, the bite usually causes pain and redness that fades within a day, and no serious medical effects have been noted. For any bite question, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Do camel spiders in Arizona have venom?
No. Camel spiders, also called sun spiders, wind scorpions or solpugids, are not true spiders. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension says none are known to have venom. They have large jaws and no stinger, and they eat insects.
Is there a huntsman spider in Arizona?
Yes. The giant crab spider (Olios) is Arizona's common huntsman spider. It is light to medium brown with a leg span of about 2 inches, runs sideways, and hides in cracks by day. The Desert Museum describes its bite as painful but not dangerous.
Which Arizona spiders should I actually worry about?
The black widow (glossy black with a red or orange hourglass) and the Arizona brown spider, a recluse that is often confused with the brown recluse, are the two the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center lists. Clean a bite with soap and water, use a cool compress, and call 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 for trouble breathing or lip swelling.
Why am I seeing so many spiders in my house?
Spiders follow food. A steady supply of crickets, roaches and other insects around the house draws hunters like wolf spiders and crab spiders indoors. Cutting the insect supply and sealing door gaps cuts the spiders.