What Types Of Spiders You Should Look Out For In Colorado Springs

Many spiders common to the United States look a lot scarier than they are. While Colorado Springs doesn’t get many of the more colorful varieties, we still get plenty of concerning specimens that it would be helpful to be able to identify on sight. Most spiders in the U.S. aren’t dangerous to humans, but it’s still not comfortable to come across one in your home. If you do happen to see one, it might be one of these common species.

3 Common Colorado Springs Spiders

a jumping spider in a kitchen

Funnel weaver spiders are harmless in the U.S., though they do have an extremely venomous cousin in Australia. These spiders have dark brown bodies with black markings on the abdomen and four pairs of eyes. They have striped legs and are alarmingly fast. Their webs are usually built in vegetation such as in shrubs or thick grass, but they can be found in the corners of buildings. The many irregular “trip lines” of the web will alert the funnel spider where it is hiding in its funnel, where it will quickly meet it and subdue its prey.

Another common but harmless spider in the area is the jumping spider. There are numerous variations of jumping spiders, but they are typically small and round with large eyes. They are usually brightly colored but can be found in brown or black varieties. Like wolf spiders, they jump on their prey instead of ensnaring them in silk.

The final species you’re likely to find in your home is the yellow sac spider. While these are the most common origin of spider bites in the home, they won’t be the cause of any negative health effects caused by more dangerous spiders. These spiders typically spend the daylight hours in a flat, silk sac in the upper corners of rooms. Typically, they are pale yellow or beige in color with dark brown markings and sometimes an orange-brown stripe running down its abdomen.

These spiders may look scary, but there are only two spiders you need to worry about if you happen to identify one in your home.

Is Your House Spider A Black Widow Or Brown Recluse?

All spiders possess fangs and venom, but only two species in North America are capable of inflicting medical harm on a human: The black widow and the brown recluse. Both are native to Colorado. Despite being relatively common in the area, brown recluses are one of the most misidentified spiders. If you run across a spider that you fear may be one of these species, ask yourself these questions.

In the case of a black widow:

  • Does it have a large, rounded black body?

  • Does it have a spot on its back?

  • Does it have a red or yellow hourglass on its abdomen?

  • Is its web messy and disorganized?

If you answered yes to these questions, you have a black widow on your hands. Black widows can show more variation than people are aware. The more washed-out colored males are not harmful to humans, but even the dangerous females can be browner or have different colored violins and spots on their backs.

For the hard to identify brown recluse, ask yourself these questions:

  • Is it uniformly brown all over its body?

  • Does it have three pairs of eyes instead of four?

  • Is it about the size of a quarter?

  • Does it have a violin mark on top of its head?

  • Does it have fine hairs on its body and legs but not its head?

If you answered yes to these questions, you have a brown recluse. Another reason it’s so hard to identify a brown recluse is that they are not easily tempted out of hiding. It is rare to spot one if you have any because they prefer secluded places. To be safe, if you suspect you’ve been bitten by either of these spiders, it’s best to seek medical attention rather than chance it.

Contact Beeline Pest Control For More Advice Or Assistance

Spider problems are rarely present without a greater pest issue. Because spiders can survive outdoors in any season, the only reason they would come into your home is if there was an ample supply of pest prey to feed on. At Beeline Pest Control, we can assist you in handling the pest prey problem, then keeping the spiders from returning.

Not only can we protect your home from spiders and guard it for the future, but we can do it using eco-friendly methods that can keep your family and the environment safe. Call Beeline Pest Control for your free estimate or to schedule your first appointment, today.