Utah wolf spiders

Wolf spiders are a family, Lycosidae, and this profile covers the group rather than one species. USU Extension says they range from small to very large, have a distinctive eye pattern and are wandering hunters that do not build webs to catch food.

Females carry egg sacs on their spinnerets and later carry the spiderlings on their backs. The spiders live in ornamental plantings, under objects, in woodpiles and in mulch, and USU notes that some small black species occur in great numbers in lawns in spring, which can cause alarm.

USU Extension says wolf spiders are not known to be a health hazard and are beneficial because they eat insects and other spiders. They can be a nuisance when they wander indoors. Sealing cracks and reducing clutter keeps them out.

Hairy ground spider with a distinctive eye pattern; females carry young.

Watch from a distance and let them do their pest control outdoors.