All About Spiders in Utah: Facts, Habits & Effective Control
Spiders are some of the most widespread and fascinating creatures on Earth. Found on every continent except Antarctica, these eight-legged arachnids often get a bad rap when they skitter into our homes. In truth, most spiders are harmless to humans and even help by eating other pests. But that doesn't mean you want them invading your living space! If spiders have you on edge, don't worry, there are ways to manage them. Effective spider control in Utah starts with understanding these critters, and if needed, getting help from a professional service like Lawn Doctor’s Yard Armour pest control program.
Below, we'll explore interesting spider facts about their habitats, diet, and behavior, plus simple tips to keep spiders out of your house. And when DIY steps aren't enough, we'll show how Yard Armour by Lawn Doctor can provide a spider exterminator solution to protect your home and give you peace of mind.
What Are Spiders?
Spiders are arachnids, this means they're in the same class as scorpions, ticks, and mites and that they are not insects. (One easy way to tell: spiders have eight legs, whereas insects have six.) They also have two main body sections instead of three. Most spiders can produce silk, a remarkable material they use for various purposes like building webs, making egg sacs, or as a lifeline when climbing. Different spider species use silk in different ways: orb-weaver spiders spin the classic wheel-shaped webs you see in gardens, while others like jumping spiders may not make a web at all.
Where Do Spiders Live?
Spiders have adapted to live in nearly every environment on the planet. You can find them in dense forests, arid deserts, grassy fields and even sometimes in our houses. Some spiders live in burrows underground, some spin intricate webs in tree branches or under eaves, and others are wandering hunters that roam without a web. House spiders tend to hide in dark, quiet corners where they won't be disturbed… think basements, attics, crawl spaces, garages, and the ceiling corners of rooms. Here in Utah, it's common to spot small brown house spiders in the corners of your walls or larger wolf spiders hanging out in cool basements, especially during hot, dry months when they seek shelter indoors.
What Do Spiders Eat?
All spiders are carnivores meaning they survive by eating other creatures, mostly insects and other small bugs. A spider typically captures its prey by ensnaring it in a sticky web or by pouncing on it if it's a hunting type. Once they catch a meal, spiders use venom to paralyze the insect and then inject digestive juices to break it down, essentially turning the prey into a liquefied soup (gross, but effective!). They then suck up the liquid meal. Common spider prey includes flies, mosquitoes, moths, and beetles, all those little annoyances you'd rather not have around. By feeding on these pests, spiders help keep bug populations in check, which can actually benefit your home and garden. (Out in the yard, having a few spiders is natural and can reduce other pest insects. Indoors, however, most of us prefer not to share our space with them!)
Are Spiders Dangerous?
For the most part, spiders are more creepy than dangerous. The vast majority of common house spiders have venom that is too weak to harm people, it's potent only for their tiny insect prey. Only a handful of spider species have bites that can cause serious harm to humans. The two most infamous are the black widow (which does live in Utah) and the brown recluse (rarely encountered in Utah, as it's native to other regions). Even these more venomous spiders prefer to hide in out-of-the-way places and will bite only if they feel directly threatened. Bites from dangerous spiders are extremely uncommon. In general, spiders would rather avoid humans altogether.
So while it's smart to be cautious around any unknown spider, there's no need to live in fear. With a few basic precautions, and a good pest control plan, you can keep spiders out and enjoy peace of mind.
Fun Spider Facts
Spiders are truly amazing (yes, even the scary-looking ones). Here are some fun facts to give you a new perspective on these arachnids:
Scientists have identified over 45,000 species of spiders worldwide (with more discovered each year!).
The largest spider in the world is the giant huntsman spider, which can have a leg span of nearly 12 inches – about the size of a dinner plate!
Some spiders can travel by air. Spiderlings (baby spiders) sometimes perform a trick called “ballooning” they release a strand of silk that catches the wind and carries them to a new location.
Not all spiders spin webs. For example, wolf spiders and jumping spiders actively hunt their prey instead of trapping it, and trapdoor spiders hide in burrows with a camouflaged “door” to ambush passing bugs.
(Feeling a little less afraid now? It helps to remember that spiders have their place in the ecosystem. But when they decide to move into our space, it's time to take action.)
How to Keep Spiders Out of Your Home
It is possible to reduce spiders in your house with some simple upkeep and smart habits. If you've been searching for how to get rid of spiders in Orem (or Provo, Heber, or anywhere in Utah), the tips below are a great starting point:
Keep your home clean and clutter-free. Spiders thrive in undisturbed, dusty spots. Regularly dust and vacuum your home, especially ceiling corners, baseboards, behind and under furniture, in closets, and in rarely-used rooms or basements. Removing spider webs and egg sacs when you see them will discourage new spiders from settling in. Also, try to reduce clutter like piled-up boxes, papers, or clothing, these undisturbed piles make perfect hiding places for spiders.
Store food properly and clean up crumbs. Spiders aren't interested in your people food, but other pests (like ants, flies, and roaches) are. If food debris or garbage is left out, it will attract insects which in turn attract spiders looking for a meal. Keep your kitchen surfaces clean, store food in sealed containers, and take out the trash regularly. Fewer bugs around the house means fewer spiders coming inside to hunt.
Seal cracks and entry points. Give your home a good inspection for little gaps that spiders (and insects) can slip through. Check for torn window screens, gaps under exterior doors, and cracks along your foundation or around pipes and wiring. By sealing these openings with caulk, weather-stripping, or door sweeps, you make it much harder for unwelcome pests to sneak inside.
Reduce outdoor lighting at night. Outdoor lights, especially bright white lights, tend to attract flying insects after dark. And where bugs gather, spiders will follow. To avoid creating a buffet on your front porch, switch to yellow “bug lights” or turn off unnecessary outdoor lights at night. This simple step can cut down on the insects swarming around your doors and windows, which means less food drawing spiders toward your home’s exterior.
These preventative measures will definitely help cut down on the number of spiders skittering around your house. However, even with a spotless home and every crack sealed, spiders can still find ways inside, especially if your property has lots of bugs for them to eat nearby. If you're still seeing creepy-crawlies around or want a more hands-off, long-term solution, it might be time to call in the pros. That’s where Lawn Doctor comes in with our Yard Armour pest control program, designed specifically for effective spider control and perimeter pest protection.
Professional Spider Control in Utah with Lawn Doctor’s Yard Armour
Lawn Doctor’s Yard Armour pest control program is our answer to persistent spider problems. It’s like having a dedicated spider exterminator in Provo, Orem, Heber, or whichever Utah community you call home, one that knows the habits of local spiders and how to keep them out of your house. Our approach focuses on creating a protective barrier around your home to stop spiders before they get inside.
How it works: On each service visit, our trained technicians treat the exterior of your home thoroughly. We target all the spots where spiders and other bugs like to lurk: window wells, door frames and thresholds, eaves and overhangs, around light fixtures, the foundation perimeter, and those dark corners around your porch, patio and garage. By applying our treatments to these key areas, we create a long-lasting shield that spiders (and the insects they prey on) won’t want to cross. We even knock down any spider webs we find around the exterior, so you’ll notice fewer cobwebs collecting on your home.
Season-long protection: Our spider control service isn’t a one-and-done quick fix it’s an ongoing, seasonally timed program. In Utah, spiders tend to be most active from spring through fall. To stay ahead of them, Yard Armour includes routine treatments (six visits per year) strategically scheduled throughout the warmer months. Each treatment reinforces your home’s protective barrier so you stay consistently covered. And if the spiders (or any of the other pests we cover) show up in force between scheduled visits, just give us a call and we’ll come back and re-treat at no extra charge. We stand by our service and want you to have total peace of mind.
Family-friendly and convenient: Our Yard Armour pest control applications are done outside your home by design. That means you don’t have to worry about indoor sprays or being home for an appointment. We treat the exterior and that’s usually enough to keep the pests out. The products we use are professional-grade and targeted for spiders and other arthropods, but rest assured they are safe for your family and pets once the treatment has dried. By keeping treatments on the outside, we put protection where it’s needed most (at the entry points and perimeter), without disrupting your daily life. It’s a win-win, fewer spiders for you, and a safer home environment inside and out.
Service areas: Lawn Doctor proudly provides spider control services across Utah County and the Heber Valley. This includes communities such as Heber, Provo, Orem, Santaquin, Springville, Payson, Midway, Salem, Spanish Fork, Mapleton, and surrounding areas. Whether you have a house in the heart of Provo or a farmhouse out by Spanish Fork, our local team is ready to help you make your property spider-free.
Ready for a spider-free home and more peace of mind? Take the next step toward a pest-free property by reaching out to Lawn Doctor for a free, no-obligation quote on our Yard Armour spider control program. We’re happy to answer your questions and get you scheduled for service. Contact us today or give us a call at (385) 463-2430 and let us help you reclaim your home from those eight-legged invaders!