Embracing The Unexpected: The Surprising Benefits Of Pet Jumping Spiders in Utah

Its nowhere near summer but...to give all of you a heads up for the warmer months, you may be seeing...jumping spiders.

Before you freak out, scream, and gab a shoe, pause. These are good spiders and make great pets to help with other annoying bugs.

They are active during the day and even have pretty great eyesight for a spider.  

I have INSANE arachnophobia so please know that I say this with some fear but also the intent to someday beat my fear of spiders. To help with this I present the adorable animation short that helped a lot of people look at jumping spiders differently a few years ago.  

 http://https://youtu.be/GQP1MxxJt8I

In Utah, the most common jumping spider is the Phiddipus Audax or the Bold Jumper. These are colorful little spiders who obviously get their name from their unique jumping habit. Though it may sound creepy they move much differently than say a tarantula or a wolf spider (EW!).  

There are over 300 species of jumping spiders in the U.S. and Canada which is probably why these guys are known to make GREAT pets. These guys are great at getting rid of house flies, fruit flies, moths, bees, and grasshoppers.  

They tend to find a little hidey-hole and keep to themselves and just get rid of your other unwanted pests. They can even be tamed, and you can make an adorable enclosure for your new spider friend.  

Yes, they bite but jumping spiders are considered harmless to humans. Plus, they are also considered EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL to humans, according to the Utah State Parks. So, if you see these little guys try to be gentle or maybe become adventurous and make a new buddy.  

You can also grab an enclosure, supplies, and a new jumping spider at the local Cedar City Pet Supply. However, they are a bit expensive, and ordering online may be the way to go. Either way, these guys can solve pest problems and add a cute new pet to your home.