Dangerous Creepy Crawlers Are Coming: It’s ‘Spider Season’ in Montana

As the mosquito bites fade, I've fallen into a false sense of security. Naively, I've been thinking, "How nice that summer is coming to an end because that means there will be fewer mosquitoes," forgetting that there's another creepy crawler to worry about when it's Autumn in Montana.

Spiders.

If you're finding these arachnids in your bathroom or crawling out of the pile of clothes at the foot of your bed and you're thinking "Why are there so many spiders out right now?" there is a reason, well, two.

Why You See More Spiders in Montana During the Fall: Mating

Spiders are known for mating in the fall, especially in September and October so you may see more of them around because they're looking for mates. If they do find a mate, this leads to the second reason we usually see more spiders around in Montana during the fall.

Why You See More Spiders in Montana During Fall: Looking for Warmth

Spiders look for a warm place to nest in the fall after mating. Even if they aren't laying eggs, the temperature drop is enough to push spiders to find somewhere warmer, like your garage.

Which Spiders in Montana Are Dangerous?

Fortunately, most spiders in Montana won't harm you, and rarely are spider bites from Montana's spiders fatal, but there are a few species to look out for. These come from a guide put together by the Montana State University Extension Service and you can follow the link to learn more.

• House Spiders
• Aggressive House Spiders (these bite)
• Black Widow (bites can be deadly, but rarely)
• Brown Recluse (these bite)
• Wolf Spiders (these definitely like to come inside during the fall)

You can also get a more detailed look at some of Montana's more dangerous spiders in the gallery below.