Tarantulas are among the largest spiders in the world, with some species reaching leg spans of up to 11 inches. Despite their intimidating appearance, these hairy arachnids are generally shy, non-aggressive, and play a beneficial role in the ecosystem by preying on insects. If you find tarantulas in your yard, management should focus on safely deterring their presence and relocating individuals rather than immediate harm.
Identifying the Species and Assessing Risk
Wild tarantulas in the United States are mainly found in the Southwest, including states like California, Arizona, and Texas. The species encountered in yards, such as the various Aphonopelma species, are typically ground-dwelling burrowers. Most people encounter them when males wander during the late summer and fall mating season in search of females.
The actual threat tarantulas pose to humans is minimal. Their venom is generally mild, often compared to the discomfort of a bee sting, resulting in localized pain and swelling. Tarantulas prefer to flee or use their primary defense mechanism: kicking tiny, irritating barbed hairs—known as urticating hairs—from their abdomen. These hairs can cause skin rashes or irritation if they contact the eyes or respiratory passages.
Tarantulas are timid animals that only bite when seriously provoked or threatened. Understanding this low risk is the first step in managing their presence effectively.
Modifying the Yard Environment for Deterrence
The most sustainable way to reduce tarantula presence is to make your yard an unappealing habitat. Tarantulas seek shelter in dark, protected, and often moist areas, so eliminating potential hiding spots is highly effective. This involves a thorough clean-up of all unnecessary debris, which removes places they would naturally use to establish burrows or find refuge.
Eliminating Shelter and Moisture
Remove piles of lumber, stacked bricks, rock piles, leaf litter, and overgrown vegetation that create cool, dark microclimates. Firewood should be stacked neatly, kept elevated, and away from the home’s foundation. Managing water sources is also important because tarantulas are attracted to moisture. Address any leaky outdoor faucets or air conditioning units that create standing water or perpetually damp soil near your home.
Exclusion and Lighting
Sealing potential entry points into your house prevents accidental indoor encounters. Inspect the foundation for cracks and crevices, using caulk or weather stripping to close gaps around doors, windows, and utility penetrations. Adjusting outdoor lighting can also help, as bright lights attract the insects that tarantulas prey upon. Switching to yellow sodium vapor bulbs or turning off unnecessary lights reduces the primary food source, encouraging tarantulas to hunt elsewhere.
Safe, Non-Lethal Removal Methods
When a tarantula is present on your property and needs to be moved, non-lethal methods ensure the safety of both the spider and the homeowner. The most common and effective technique is the “cup and card” method, which allows for safe capture and relocation.
The Cup and Card Method
Find a container large enough to easily cover the tarantula, such as a sturdy plastic cup, bowl, or jar, and a piece of stiff cardboard or a thin book. Place the container over the tarantula and then gently slide the cardboard underneath the rim, trapping the spider inside. Once secured, carry the container away from the property to a natural, undisturbed area, such as a nearby field or wooded area, for release.
Guiding and Safety
For a tarantula moving in an undesirable direction, such as toward a door, you can gently guide it using a long-handled soft brush. Lightly touching the legs opposite the desired direction of travel will encourage the spider to move away from the contact. When attempting relocation, wear heavy gloves and long sleeves to protect against the urticating hairs. Avoiding agitation will minimize the spider’s defensive behaviors.
Professional Intervention and Chemical Options
The use of general insecticides is not the recommended first step for tarantula control and is often ineffective against the spiders themselves. Tarantulas have bodies that are higher off the ground than many insects, and they do not groom their legs, meaning they do not readily pick up a lethal dose from residual sprays. Furthermore, broad-spectrum pesticides can eliminate beneficial insects in your yard and may pose risks to pets and children.
Targeted Pesticide Use
Pesticides are generally reserved for targeted treatments to eliminate the tarantula’s food source, such as other turf-dwelling pests. The goal of this application is to encourage the tarantulas to leave the area voluntarily due to a lack of prey. If you are experiencing repeated, severe infestations or if non-lethal methods have failed, professional pest control may be considered as a last resort.
Consulting Professionals
When consulting a licensed professional, inquire about the use of glue traps in garages or storage areas to monitor activity. Ask for perimeter treatments that focus on exclusion and food source reduction. Any chemical application should be discussed to ensure it is targeted and minimizes environmental impact, focusing only on the immediate area around the home’s foundation.