Tens of thousands of male tarantulas are crawling out of their hiding spots in New Mexico as they look to mate.August through October is tarantula mating season for the Land of Enchantment, which could cause quite the scare. But experts told KOAT that tarantulas are a very misunderstood species.”As long as you don’t squeeze or grab, mess with the tarantula, they are pretty sweet,” said Dylan Mueller with Predator and Prey Exotics.His store is located on Central Avenue in Albuquerque, with tarantulas being their number one sold pet.”Most of our species are going to be ground-dwelling just because we’re in a desert and don’t have too much in terms of canopies or forests,” Mueller said.That means the tarantulas in New Mexico do not jump. “When they feel threatened, they’ll make a defensive pose. They’ll kind of raise up their four legs and try to look scary, but that’s your cue to just say, ‘I’m sorry. I’ll leave you alone,'” said Mueller.Experts told KOAT that in the Bernalillo County area, tarantulas tend to live in the foothills, Sandia Park, Paco, Cedar Creast, Petroglyphs and West Mesa areas.”If you have any type of gaps where you could fit, maybe like a large magic marker through that type of diameter, maybe think about sealing it up,” said Mike Swanson with Preventive Pest Control.If you spot a tarantula near your home or one that is a little too close for comfort, experts recommend not killing it. Instead, move them to an area with bushes, away from animals, humans and vehicles. “If you have like a little stick or a broom or a big paintbrush, you can kind of move them on their way,” said Mueller.You can also use a bucket or bin to move the tarantula.For some, killing the spider may seem easier, but experts say to refrain from that because tarantulas are very beneficial for our environment and great at keeping unwanted bugs out of your home by eating them.”They’re on our side as a pest control professional. I’m going to advocate for something that’s going to kill the bugs that we’re really trying to keep out of the house, like cockroaches, crickets, cicadas,” said Swanson.Tarantulas have a limited vision so they don’t tend to hunt. Instead they make webs with the goal of catching food.Tarantulas are as scared of humans, as humans are of them.”The tarantulas that we’re seeing right now aren’t interested in coming into your home. If you find one inside your home, that’s an accident. The ones we’re seeing are migrating males, looking for females, and they’re not going to find that in your home,” said Swanson. “They’re just trying to find love.”
Tens of thousands of male tarantulas are crawling out of their hiding spots in New Mexico as they look to mate.
August through October is tarantula mating season for the Land of Enchantment, which could cause quite the scare. But experts told KOAT that tarantulas are a very misunderstood species.
“As long as you don’t squeeze or grab, mess with the tarantula, they are pretty sweet,” said Dylan Mueller with Predator and Prey Exotics.
His store is located on Central Avenue in Albuquerque, with tarantulas being their number one sold pet.
“Most of our species are going to be ground-dwelling just because we’re in a desert and don’t have too much in terms of canopies or forests,” Mueller said.
That means the tarantulas in New Mexico do not jump.
“When they feel threatened, they’ll make a defensive pose. They’ll kind of raise up their four legs and try to look scary, but that’s your cue to just say, ‘I’m sorry. I’ll leave you alone,'” said Mueller.
Experts told KOAT that in the Bernalillo County area, tarantulas tend to live in the foothills, Sandia Park, Paco, Cedar Creast, Petroglyphs and West Mesa areas.
“If you have any type of gaps where you could fit, maybe like a large magic marker through that type of diameter, maybe think about sealing it up,” said Mike Swanson with Preventive Pest Control.
If you spot a tarantula near your home or one that is a little too close for comfort, experts recommend not killing it. Instead, move them to an area with bushes, away from animals, humans and vehicles.
“If you have like a little stick or a broom or a big paintbrush, you can kind of move them on their way,” said Mueller.
You can also use a bucket or bin to move the tarantula.
For some, killing the spider may seem easier, but experts say to refrain from that because tarantulas are very beneficial for our environment and great at keeping unwanted bugs out of your home by eating them.
“They’re on our side as a pest control professional. I’m going to advocate for something that’s going to kill the bugs that we’re really trying to keep out of the house, like cockroaches, crickets, cicadas,” said Swanson.
Tarantulas have a limited vision so they don’t tend to hunt. Instead they make webs with the goal of catching food.
Tarantulas are as scared of humans, as humans are of them.
“The tarantulas that we’re seeing right now aren’t interested in coming into your home. If you find one inside your home, that’s an accident. The ones we’re seeing are migrating males, looking for females, and they’re not going to find that in your home,” said Swanson. “They’re just trying to find love.”
