Notable concerns
- Western black widow (west river)
Medically significant species in South Dakota
| Species | Scientific | Significance | Range note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Black Widow | Latrodectus hesperus | Medically significant | Western North America from southern British Columbia south to Mexico, east to the Great Pl |
| Yellow Sac Spider | Cheiracanthium inclusum | Moderate | Throughout the continental United States and southern Canada. |
All documented species in this index
Species below are present in South Dakota according to extension publications and the rangeStates records in our species index. Click through for full profiles.
- Western Black Widow - Latrodectus hesperus (Medically significant)
- Yellow Sac Spider - Cheiracanthium inclusum (Moderate)
- Common House Spider - Parasteatoda tepidariorum (Low)
- Wolf Spider - Lycosidae (family overview) (Low)
- Cellar Spider - Pholcus phalangioides (Not medically significant)
- Bold Jumping Spider - Phidippus audax (Low)
- Yellow Garden Spider - Argiope aurantia (Not medically significant)
- Grass Spider - Agelenopsis spp. (Not medically significant)
Seasonal activity in South Dakota
Spider activity in South Dakota follows the documented peak season of June–August. Indoor sightings often spike in late summer and early fall as males wander to find mates and as cooling outdoor temperatures push synanthropic species toward heated structures.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Highlighted months reflect the state extension peak-activity window. Individual species (especially indoor recluse populations) may be active outside this range.
Prevention checklist for South Dakota homes
- Seal exterior gaps wider than 1/8 inch around utility penetrations, dryer vents, and weep holes. Install door sweeps on garage and basement entries.
- Reduce harborage by storing firewood, lumber, and seldom-used boxes off the ground and at least 18 inches from foundation walls.
- For widow-active areas, wear gloves when handling outdoor electrical boxes, irrigation valves, and stacked materials. Widows favor undisturbed voids.
- Vacuum webs, egg sacs, and spiders rather than spraying. Mechanical removal outperforms most over-the-counter residual sprays for synanthropic species.
If you are bitten
Nearby states in the Great Plains region
- Spiders of Kansas - peak activity may–october
- Spiders of Nebraska - peak activity may–september
- Spiders of North Dakota - peak activity june–august
- Spiders of Oklahoma - peak activity april–october
Sources
- [1]SDSU spider identification - SDSU Cooperative Extension. Accessed 2026-06-14.
- [2]Spiders and scorpions submitted as suspected brown recluse - Vetter RS, 2008. Accessed 2026-06-14.