Tarantula mating season has begun: Which states will see them?

(NewsNation) — They’re creepy, crawly and coming to a state near you. Tarantula mating season has begun, with high levels of humidity and heat drawing the cave-dwelling creatures outside their domiciles. Here’s what to know about the upcoming tarantula mating season.

Where are tarantulas headed?

Tarantulas enjoy hot, humid climates, and for that reason, they tend to stick to areas in the Southwest and Western United States.

States like Arizona, California, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon and Washington are crawler-friendly destinations. This is especially true during mating season, which lasts from August to October, as tarantulas enjoy the late summer heat combined with increased moisture in the air.

Don’t worry — you ‘likely won’t see’ tarnatulas

Though experts across the Southwest have warned that hordes of tarantulas will soon descend, Dan McCamish, a senior environmental scientist with California State Parks, says it’s unlikely the average person will have to face one.

“As with most things that live in the desert in the summer,” McCamish told USA Today. “They’re generally nocturnal, so unless you’re out in the middle of the night, which I don’t recommend for safety purposes, you likely won’t see them.”

Meeting a tarantula face-to-face

If you do find yourself face-to-face with the fluffy arachnids, the best thing to do is not panic.

“No native tarantulas in the United States pose a serious threat to humans,” McCamish said.

However, under duress, tarantulas do bite — with generally the same amount of sting as a bee. Like bees, while their bite doesn’t impact those without allergies long-term, those who are allergic to spiders need to take care not to get bitten.

Ultimately, McCamish said, “they’re gentle, ecologically valuable animals. Mostly they’re interested in escaping from confrontations — especially with something they know could squish them.”

How to safely view Tarantula hordes

Tarantula sightings are popular tourist attractions across the country. In places like La Junta, Colorado, crowds gather to view the hordes an hour before dusk. The best areas to see tarantulas are in Western and Southwestern states with arid climates. Campsites and backyards are the best spider-sighting destinations, and the Desert Blonde Tarantula and the Texas Brown are the most common species sighted.

Though tarantulas are gentle, they are best viewed at a distance. Touching them is dangerous due to the barbed hairs on their abdomen, which can cause lingering irritation. Additionally, McCamish warned, giving them space is important since they could be defending their eggs or involved in a mating ritual.