Contrary to popular belief, spiders do not move indoors looking for winter shelter. Indoor spiders may appear to increase in number due to males wandering in search of a mate.
With the exception of the black widow, there is no reason to be concerned about spiders in Colorado. The occasionally found brown recluse is sometimes brought into the state, but natural populations are not found in Colorado. The remaining spiders are not a threat to human health.
The most commonly found spiders in homes are tegenaria domestica (domestic house spider), dysdera crocata (woodlouse hunter), steatoda triangulosa (a house spider) and cheiricanthium muldei (yellow sac spider). All of these may dwell within the home, spinning webs in out-of-the-way areas and capturing small, soft-bodied insects for prey.
Prevention of spiders within the home involves disturbing favored locations. Regularly vacuum corners, closets and underneath furniture to whisk away small spiders and disrupt webs of larger ones. Gluing board traps located near sources of free moisture, such as behind the toilet, can capture spiders for removal.
For more information on spiders in Colorado, please visit the Extension office at 344 U.S. 84.
Upcoming events
Sept. 29 — Cottage Food Certification and Food Preservation. Registration is required. The Cottage Foods class is $30 and goes from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Size is limited to 30. The Food Preservation class is $20 and goes from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The class is limited to 20, so call today to sign up, 264-5931.
Oct. 19 — Babysitting Class: Offered free to youth 11-18. Call the office to sign up. Limited to 15.
CPR and first aid classes
CPR and first aid certification classes are offered monthly by the Colorado State University Extension office on the second Monday and Wednesday of each month from 6 to 10 pm. Anyone needing to receive or renew certification can register by calling the Extension office at 264-5931.
We will also attempt to schedule classes on additional dates with five or more registrations. Cost for the classes is $80 for combined CPR/first aid and $55 for CPR, first aid or recertification.
