Most spiders around Valley homes are harmless, and they even help by eating other insects. The one to take seriously is the black widow, which loves the same quiet corners of garages and block walls that we all tend to ignore.
Which spider do you have?
- Black widow. Shiny black with a red hourglass on the underside. It builds messy, tangled webs low to the ground in dark, undisturbed spots. Its bite is venomous and needs prompt attention.
- Wolf spider. Large, hairy, and brown or gray. It hunts on the ground instead of building webs and often wanders in under doors. Harmless.
- Cellar and jumping spiders. Cellar spiders have long, thin legs and hang in corners; jumping spiders are small, fuzzy, and quick. Both are harmless.
Where they come from
Spiders go where their food is and where they won’t be disturbed. Here’s where we find black widows most often around Valley homes:
- Garages, especially along the bottom of walls and behind storage
- Block walls and the gaps along the top
- Water meter and irrigation boxes
- Under patio furniture, grill covers, and toy bins
- Woodpiles and stored lumber
- Around outdoor lights that attract insects
What our treatment does
We treat the places spiders hide and build webs, remove webs and egg sacs where we can reach them, and treat around your foundation. Cutting down the insects they feed on also makes your property less attractive to spiders.
What treatment can’t do
We’ll be straight with you: spiders spend most of their time up off the ground in their webs, so a treatment has to reach them to work well. As long as there are insects and quiet places to hide, new spiders will move in from outside your property.
What actually helps
- Wear gloves. Use gloves when reaching into meter boxes, storage bins, and woodpiles.
- Knock down webs. Clear webs and egg sacs regularly with a broom or vacuum.
- Clear the clutter. Store garage items in sealed plastic bins and off the floor.
- Change the lights. Yellow or warm LED bulbs attract fewer of the insects spiders eat.
- Shake it out. Check shoes, gloves, and clothes left in the garage before you put them on.
Common questions
How dangerous is a black widow bite?
Black widow venom can cause severe muscle pain, cramping, and sweating, but deaths are very rare. Wash the bite, apply a cool compress, and call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Get emergency care for young children, older adults, or anyone with severe symptoms.
Are there brown recluse spiders in Las Vegas?
The brown recluse isn’t established in Southern Nevada. A relative, the desert recluse, lives in the region, but it’s rarely found inside homes and bites are uncommon.
Should I kill the harmless spiders?
You don’t have to. Wolf, cellar, and jumping spiders eat other insects and don’t hurt people. If you want fewer of them, sweep away webs regularly and cut down the insects that draw them in.
Tips and tricks
Look for black widows at night. During the day, black widows hide deep in their webs. After dark, they hang out in the open on the web, often upside down, showing the red hourglass. A quick flashlight check under patio furniture, grill lids, and along the garage floor will tell you whether you have them.
If someone is bitten
- Wash the bite and apply a cool compress.
- Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for advice.
- Get medical care right away for children, older adults, or anyone with severe pain, cramping, or trouble breathing.
Get help with spiders
Found a spider you’re not sure about? We’ll identify it, treat where they’re hiding, and give you an honest plan.
Other pests we handle: Scorpions, Cockroaches, Ants, Rodents, Crickets, Stinging Insects, Bed Bugs, Flies & Gnats, Mosquitoes, Ticks & Fleas, Beetles, Centipedes & Millipedes, Silverfish, Pillbugs & Sowbugs. See the full pest library.