Most Common Spiders in Boise, ID

Have you ever stopped to think about the creepy crawlers living in your backyard, or the eight-legged creatures lurking inside your home? There’s no denying that spiders can be frightening – especially when they pop up unexpectedly. However, while it is true that some varieties of spiders are potentially dangerous, other species are completely harmless and beneficial for our environment. To help separate these two types of arachnids from one another, we decided to take an in-depth look at the most common spiders active in Boise, Idaho throughout different seasons. In this blog post, we will uncover their habits and behaviors as well as how to tell which ones are hazardous in order to keep both you and your family safe.

Are There Poisonous Spiders in Boise, ID?

The short answer is yes. Although none of the arachnids native to Boise are considered deadly, some of them may cause a severe reaction if they bite or sting you. The two most hazardous species present in this region are the Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders.

Black Widows are small and relatively easy to identify due to their distinctive hourglass-shaped marking on the underside of their abdomen. They prefer dark and secluded places such as woodpiles, caves, and old buildings.

Brown Recluse spiders can be identified by their violin-shaped marking on the upper part of its back. They are more solitary than Black Widows and can be found in areas with less disturbance such as tucked away in closets, attics and other undisturbed places.

Though the bite from either of these spiders can be painful, it is rarely fatal when treated quickly and properly. Proper medical attention should be sought if you suspect an arachnid bite or sting.

Top 10 Spiders You Can Find In Boise

Wolf Spider

These large spiders can be found in yards and gardens, as well as indoors. Wolf spiders are usually dark brown or black with distinctive markings on their backs. They have eight eyes arranged in three rows and are active hunters who rely on their vision to find prey.

Cellar Spider

Also known as a daddy longlegs, this spider is found in dark, damp places such as basements and crawl spaces. They have long thin legs and yellowish-brown bodies. They usually build messy webs with layers of tangled silk threads.

Crab Spiders

This type of spider has a flattened body shape that allows them to hide in tight spaces. They have long, spiny legs and can be found in a variety of colors including yellow, white, and orange. This species of spider does not spin webs and instead relies on camouflage to avoid being seen.

Daring Jumping Spider

These spiders are easily recognized by their large eyes and hairy bodies. They have excellent vision and use this to hunt for small insects. Daring jumping spiders can jump up to 20 times their body length, making them some of the best hunters in the spider world.

American Grass Spider

The American grass spider is typically found in and around grassy areas or other open environments. It spins a funnel-shaped web that it uses to catch its prey. As with most spiders, this species has eight eyes, two of which are larger than the others. The American grass spider can vary in color from tan to gray, but they all have distinct white stripes running down their backs. The web of the American grass spider is usually suspended between stems and plants, making it difficult for prey to escape once trapped.

Cat-faced Spider

The cat-faced spider is a small but distinctive species of arachnid known for its unique head shape. Its large eyes and prominent fangs make it easy to identify. The cat-faced spider lives in grassy areas, particularly near the base of shrubs and trees. They spin sticky webs that they use to capture their prey. The web of the cat-faced spider is typically built from a single strand, making it highly effective at trapping flying insects like moths and butterflies.

Furrow Spider

The furrow spider is a small, dark-colored arachnid that has long legs and a thin body. It gets its common name from the unique furrows (ridges) found on its abdomen. This species of spider builds tubular webs in which it lives and hunts for prey. The entrance to these tubes is usually hidden beneath a layer of soil, leaves, or other debris, making it difficult for potential predators to find. When disturbed, the furrow spider will vibrate its web and retreat into the tube for protection. They typically feed on small insects like ants and flies.

Fishing Spiders

Fishing spiders are a type of spider that lives near freshwater sources, such as ponds and streams with plenty of vegetation for camouflage. These arachnids have flattened bodies and large front legs which they use to skim the surface of the water in search of their prey, which can include tadpoles, small fish, and aquatic insects. They also possess a specialized set of hairs that allow them to breathe underwater, enabling them to stay submerged for up to an hour at a time. Fishing spiders can also steal prey from web-building spiders by plucking the strands of their webs and grabbing the trapped insects.

Hobo Spider

The Hobo Spider, also known as the aggressive house spider, is a common sight in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions of North America. It is a large brown spider with a distinctive pattern of markings on its cephalothorax, which resembles a violin. Hobo spiders often build their webs near ground level and are active hunters, stalking their prey or ambushing it in their web. They can deliver a painful bite if provoked, but there is no evidence to suggest that their venom is dangerous to humans.

Banded Garden Spider

The banded garden spider (Argiope trifasciata) is an orb-weaving spider found throughout the United States. It has a distinctive black and yellow pattern on its abdomen, which resembles a zig-zag or chevron design. The banded garden spider builds large webs in gardens and fields, often near dense vegetation or low shrubs. Like other orb weavers, it uses its web to capture flying insects and small animals as prey. The banded garden spider's venom is not known to be dangerous to humans.

Get Professional Spider Control In Boise, ID

If you are dealing with an infestation of spiders in your home or on your property, it is best to seek professional assistance. At Vertex Pest Control, we have expertise in identifying and eradicating spiders from residential and commercial properties. Contact us today for a free consultation and evaluation of your spider problem. With our expert spider control services in Boise, ID, you can be sure that you will have a safe and spider-free home or business.