AZ Brown Spider

Black Widow

Tarantula

Tarantula

Description:

The Tarantula is a large spider that is covered with hair.  The male is dark brown while the females are tan.  Their bodies are 2 ½ inches and their legs can be up to 4 inches in length.  They have 8 eyes and 2 fangs.

Behavior:

Tarantulas are passive hunters.  They wait close to their burrows to ambush passing insects.  Tarantulas live in underground burrows.  These burrows can be in the open or underneath a landscape timber or rock.  The holes can be easily identified by the thick web that has been spun over the opening.  Tarantulas are active at night.

Control:

Tarantula Burrow

The Tarantula is viewed as a beneficial organism because it feeds on pest insects such as the cricket or cockroach.  This spider rarely ventures inside a home.  Reducing the amount of insects around a building with our pest control programs is an effective way to manage this spider.

Fun Fact:

Male Tarantulas will travel great distances in search of a female mate.