What to Know About Resident Spiders in Colorado

It is important to be aware of the type of spiders in your area so you are prepared and know what is out there. So here is more info on the spiders in Colorado and what you should know about them.

Everything You Need To Know About Spiders in Colorado

If you live in Colorado, you are most likely aware of the various spiders that share the space with you. However, if you plan to visit this beautiful state, you might want to learn about some of the spiders living here. While these spiders will most likely not hurt you, it is to your benefit to have an idea of some of the potentially dangerous spiders that are out there. You should not be alarmed; you should be aware. 

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The Brown Recluse Spider: What You Need to Know

Blog Introduction: If you live in Colorado, chances are you’ve heard of the brown recluse spider. These spiders are notoriously venomous, and their bites can cause serious health problems. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the brown recluse spider and what you need to know to stay safe.

What is the Brown Recluse Colorado Spider?

The brown recluse spider is a species of spider that is indigenous to the United States. These spiders are typically brown or tan in color, and they have a dark brown marking on their backs. Brown recluse spiders are relatively small, and they typically measure between 1/4 and 3/4 of an inch in length.

These spiders are most commonly found in the southern and Midwestern United States. However, they have been known to turn up in other parts of the country as well. In Colorado, brown recluse spiders have been found in Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins.

What Makes the Brown Recluse Spider Dangerous In Colorado?

The brown recluse spider is dangerous because its bite can cause serious health problems. These spiders are venomous, and their bites can lead to necrosis (tissue death) and systemic loxoscelism (a potentially life-threatening condition caused by the spider’s venom). Brown recluse spider bites are typically painful and itchy, and they can cause redness, swelling, and blistering at the site of the bite. In some cases, bites can also lead to fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.

How Can I Avoid Being Bitten by a Brown Recluse Spider?

There are a few things you can do to avoid being bitten by a brown recluse spider. First, be sure to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when you’re working or playing outside. Secondly, inspect your clothing and gear before putting them on; brown recluse spiders are known to hide in clothing that’s been lying around. Finally, shake out any items that have been stored away for awhile before using them; again, these spiders like to hide in dark places.

The brown recluse spider is a dangerous creature that calls Colorado home. These spiders are venomous, and their bites can cause serious health problems—including necrosis and systemic loxoscelism. To avoid being bitten by a brown recluse spider, be sure to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when you’re outside; inspect your clothing before putting it on; and shake out any stored items before using them. By following these simple tips, you can help keep yourself safe from these dangerous creatures.

Hobo Spider

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This little guy is often referred to as an “aggressive house spider.” If the hobo spider should happen to bite you, relax as about half of their bites do not cause any issue. Also, their bites are not known to cause fatalities in humans. If you do receive a bite, you might have some symptoms such as a painful headache, lesions, or blisters. Colorado has more than its share of this creature.

Hobo Spiders in Colorado – What You Need to Know

If you live in Colorado, there’s a chance you may have seen a hobo spider. Hobo spiders are usually brown or gray and roughly the size of a quarter. While they are not aggressive, they can bite if they feel threatened. So, what else do you need to know about hobo spiders in Colorado? Keep reading to find out.

Hobo Spiders in the Wild

Hobo spiders are most commonly found near areas of human activity, such as homes, garages, and storage sheds. They build their webs in dark corners and usually come out at night to hunt for prey. In the wild, hobo spiders typically eat insects like ants, beetles, and flies. However, they have also been known to eat small mammals like mice and bats.

Hobo Spiders in Colorado Towns and Cities

While hobo spiders are not aggressive, they can bite if they feel threatened. Their bites are not poisonous to humans but can be painful and cause swelling. If you suspect you have been bitten by a hobo spider, it is important to seek medical attention right away as their bites can sometimes lead to infections.

If you see a hobo spider in your home or business, it is best to contact a professional pest control company for removal.

Black Widow

Spiders in Colorado also include the black widow. You can identify this one by the red markings. You only need to be concerned with half the black widow population. This is because females are the only danger to humans. Of course, identifying a male from a female is nearly impossible for the novice. It should be known that their bite is remarkably painful. It can also cause permanent damage. It seldom results in death with the modern medical treatments available. Even so, if a black widow bites you, you should consider seeking medical attention.

All About Black Widow Spiders

Blog Introduction: Black widow spiders are some of the most feared spiders in North America. Despite their reputation, black widows are not aggressive and will only bite humans if they feel threatened. In this blog post, we’ll dispel some myths about black widows and give you some tips on what to do if you find one in your home.

What Do Black Widow Spiders Look Like?

Adult female black widow spiders are easily recognizable by their shiny black bodies and red hourglass-shaped markings on their abdomens. Male black widows are much smaller than females and have more muted coloring. Both male and female black widows have long, thin legs. Baby spiders, called spiderlings, look nothing like their parents and are often mistaken for other types of spiders.

Where Do Black Widow Spiders Live?

Black widow spiders are found throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They prefer warm, dry climates and can often be found in urban areas such as Los Angeles and Phoenix. Black widow spiders are not commonly found in homes but they will occasionally set up shop in garages or sheds. If you live in an area where black widow spiders are common, be sure to check outdoor furniture and clothing for spider webs before bringing them inside your home.

What Do Black Widow Spiders Eat?

Black widow spiders primarily eat insects but have been known to feast on lizards, frogs, birds, and mice. They build webs near the ground in order to snare their prey. Once an insect gets caught in the web, the black widow moves in for the kill, injecting it with venom that paralyzes the victim. The venom also breaks down the internal organs of the prey so that the black widow can consume them.

Do Black Widow Spiders Pose a Threat to Humans?

While black widow spider bites can be painful, they are rarely deadly to humans. In fact, most healthy adults will recover from a black widow bite without any lasting effects. However, young children and elderly adults may experience more serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, cramping, and difficulty breathing. If you suspect that you or someone you know has been bitten by a black widow spider, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

How Can I Prevent Black Widow Spiders from Entering My Home?

The best way to prevent black widows from entering your home is to keep an eye out for them when you are outdoors. If you see a web, be sure to check it for a spider before disturbing it. If you find a spider in your home, there is no need to panic! Simply grab a cup or container and place it over the top of the spider. Then slide a piece of cardboard under the container to trap the spider inside. Once the spider is captured, release it into your backyard or another outdoor area away from your home. Regularly checking your property for spider webs is also a good way to deter these pests from setting up shop on your property.

Although they have a reputation for being dangerous, black widow spiders are actually not aggressive towards humans unless they feel threatened. If you do come into contact with one of these spiders, there is no need to panic—simply capture it and release it into the wild away from your home. Taking some basic preventative measures such as checking for webs before entering your home and regularly inspecting your property for signs of spiders can help deter these eight-legged critters from taking up residence in your home sweet home!

Tarantula

Another of the spiders in Colorado, which we have heard horror stories about, is the tarantula. We’ve often been told about their deadly bite; however, although they are very intimidating in their looks, they cannot cause serious damage in most situations. Just like the black widow, their bites are painful. The hair on the tarantula also irritates the skin. Even though their bites are not severe, if you should feel any symptoms from the bite, you might want to have it checked. An interesting fact about the male tarantula is that they usually wait ten years to reach their sexual maturity. Typically, they mate one time and then die. Also, they are often killed by the female with whom they choose to mate.

Yellow Sac Spider

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Another creature in Colorado to watch out for is the yellow sac spider. If this creature bites you, it is wise to seek medical attention immediately. As one of the poisonous spiders in the state, its bite is still not fully understood. It is known that their bite can cause small lesions on your body. Since the actual seriousness of the bite has not entirely been determined, it is suggested you seek medical attention.

Other Spiders in Colorado

Aside from the poisonous spiders in Colorado, there are also about 166 other species that live in the state. They are divided into two dozen different spider families. The largest of these groups is the Jumping Spiders. There are 31 spiders found within this group. Jumping Spiders make up the world’s largest family of spiders. Next is the Wolf Spiders with 19 varieties followed by Ground Spiders with 14 types. The smallest group is the Sheet Web and Dwarf Spiders with seven known species.

Most people are familiar with two spiders found in another group known as the Cobweb Spider. This group includes the Western Black Widow and the Southern Black Widow. The first dominates all spiders in Colorado. The latter is present in the state only because it accidentally hitched a ride into the state.

Spiders found in the Jumping Spiders group, and some of the Ground Spiders are so small they are difficult to identify as spiders. When photographed, the spiders in this group often need to have some type of microscope, added to a camera, to capture a picture. In the Jumping Spider group, the spiders are able to jump several times their body length. They are also capable of running fast. They have better eyesight than most other spiders. If you disturb one of these spiders, they will bite if they feel threatened. However, their venom is not any worse than a bee. They do not create cobwebs, although they can make single strands which they use for climbing. 

Funnel Spiders are the type you will find in your home in Colorado. They are mostly present during the late summer and early fall. You will find their dense mats of silk in various areas such as shrubs, corners of buildings, and thick grass. A spider in this group usually has a central retreat it uses. It then rushes into the web when any prey has entered. These spiders are harmless, although they are sometimes mistaken as a brown recluse. However, they have a darker brown color along with black markings on the abdomen. Also, they do not have the “violin” marking of the brown recluse. These spiders have four pairs of eyes as opposed to three. They are much faster in their travel.

Colorado has many species of spiders; most of them have a lifespan of less than a year. It is unusual, but all the spiders that live in Colorado have eight legs. Although none of us like to see any spider roaming around our house, we need to remember that they are a beneficial insect as they feed on other pests.