Spider Identification Guide

In Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas, we have several species of spiders that live in our yards, homes, and other structures – including hobo spiders, wolf spiders, and black widow spiders.

Close-up of a brown and black spider with multiple eyes on a green leaf.
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Spider Facts for Salt Lake City:

Facts

What Are Spiders?

Spiders are arachnids with two body parts, eight legs, and fangs — no wings or antennae. They play a key role in controlling insect populations in gardens and fields. In Salt Lake City, the most common species are hobo spiders, wolf spiders, and black widow spiders, each varying in size, color, and behavior.

Signs

Where Spiders Hide in Your Home

Wolf spiders nest along floors, under furniture, and in closets. Hobo spiders prefer damp, dark areas like basements and crawl spaces. Black widows seek out quiet, undisturbed spots — under furniture, in garages, and beneath outdoor structures. Visible webs at ground level, especially funnel-shaped or irregular ones, are strong indicators of an active spider presence.

Dangers

Are Spiders Dangerous?

Most spiders in Utah are nuisance species with venom too weak to harm people — including hobo and wolf spiders.

The exception is the black widow, whose venom attacks the nervous system and requires medical attention if bitten.

Treatment

How We Eliminate Spiders

Pest Pro offers a Two-Series Treatment (two visits three weeks apart to break the life cycle, guaranteed for six weeks) or a Maintenance Plan with quarterly treatments and free callbacks between appointments.

Common Species

Spiders Found in Utah

Wolf spiders are ground-dwelling hunters that burrow under rocks and woodpiles. Hobo spiders build funnel-shaped webs at ground level. Black widows spin irregular webs in dark, quiet spaces like under decks and in crawl spaces.

Tips

Keep Spiders Out

  • Remove yard debris and clutter
  • Seal cracks in your foundation and roofline
  • Install screens on vents and drains
  • Keep outdoor lights off when possible
  • Knock down webs as soon as you spot them to encourage spiders to move along.

All About Spiders in Utah

Spiders are arachnids. They play a critical role in the eco-system. These predators hunt and feed on many species of insects and spiders, helping to control their populations. They are especially helpful in gardens and fields, helping to limit the pests that damage crops and other plants.

Close-up of a hairy spider with orange and black markings on its face standing on dry, cracked soil.

In Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas, we have several species of spiders that live in our yards, homes, and other structures – including hobo spiders, wolf spiders, and black widow spiders. Spiders vary in size and color pattern depending on the species, but all have two body parts, chelicerae (fangs), and eight legs. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, but they all lack antennae and wings.

Are spiders dangerous?

The black widow spider is a dangerous species because they have venom that is strong enough to cause health problems in people. Their venom attacks the nervous system, and while their bites rarely cause long-lasting problems, the symptoms should be managed by a medical professional.

The good news is that black widow spiders are an exception to the rule and most species of spiders that you come across are harmless to people. Nuisance spiders have venom that is not strong enough to cause us any harm. The hobo spider and wolf spider are both examples of nuisance spiders.

Where will I find spiders?

Where spiders prefer to build their webs or burrows is unique to their species. Wolf spiders are not web-building spiders. They build burrows in the ground. Outside they burrow under rocks, woodpiles, landscape timbers, and fallen trees. Inside, they nest on the floor along walls, under furniture, and in the bottom of closets.

Hobo spiders create funnel-shaped webs and like to place their webs in areas that support them. Outside, these spiders build their webs between rocks, in woodpiles, and on brick walls. These spiders are poor climbers, so they make their webs at ground level. Inside, hobo spiders seek out damp, dark areas like basements and crawl spaces to live and hunt.

Black widow spiders build their irregular-shaped webs at ground level. Outside, they build their webs under stones, shrubs, decks, woodpiles, and outbuildings. Inside, they prefer quiet out-of-the-way locations like basements, crawl spaces, and spaces under furniture.

How do I get rid of spiders?

A spider infestation is a frustrating pest problem. The easiest way to get rid of cockroaches and other pests is to partner with Pest Pro Pest Control. We provide the effective home pest control and commercial pest control services needed to protect Utah residential and commercial properties from insects, rodents, and other pests.

At Pest Pro Pest Control, we are committed to helping Utah home and business owners maintain spider-free properties with our guaranteed pest control services. We offer two different treatment options based on your needs:

Two Series Treatment

The two-series treatment consists of two treatments, three weeks apart. This back-to-back treatment kills all the live insects and then makes sure there is enough insecticide to kill any babies that may hatch. This breaks the life cycle of the spider population. Our two series treatments are guaranteed for six weeks after the second treatment to guarantee the eradication of the current spider population.

Maintenance Plan

When dealing with larger, more established infestations, we recommend our spider maintenance plan.  Maintenance plans are always guaranteed as long as you are actively doing quarterly spider treatments.

With this yearly maintenance, we will come back anytime you see spiders in between appointments for free.

To schedule your spider control treatment for Salt Lake or Park City call now at (385) 314-4973.

How can I prevent spiders in the future?

Keep your Salt Lake City home and yard protected from spiders with the help of Pest Pro Pest Control and the following prevention tips:

  • Remove excess debris and clutter from your yard and home that spiders can use as hiding spots.
  • Cut back trees, shrubs, and bushes away from your home’s exterior.
  • Place garden areas as far away from the exterior of your house as possible.
  • Make sure window and door screens are intact and place weather-stripping around doors.
  • Seal up entry points in the foundation, exterior walls, and roofline of your home.
  • Place screens over vents and drains entering into your home.
  • Keep outdoor lights that attract insects to your home off as much as possible.
  • Knockdown webs as soon as you spot them. Knocking down their webs annoys spiders and will encourage them to move along.

Get Spider Control in Salt Lake City Today

Service often can be scheduled within 24 hours.

Black widow spider hanging on its web with a faint red marking on its back.

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