Utah
The bane of summer: Utah creepy crawlies you need to worry about
![The bane of summer: Utah creepy crawlies you need to worry about](https://img.ksl.com/slc/2934/293479/29347924.jpeg?filter=kslv2/responsive_story_lg)
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There are so many reasons to love summer in Utah thanks to its bountiful outdoor recreation and diverse landscapes that cater to every type of activity. There is one drawback, however: bugs. Just as you like to come out and play when the sun is shining, so do insects. Most of them are harmless or annoying at worst, but others pose more serious risks to unsuspecting individuals.
Here’s a short list of Utah’s creepy crawlies that you’ll definitely want to avoid as you venture outdoors this summer.
Mosquitoes
When it comes to annoying insects, the blood-sucking, itchy bite-inflicting mosquito takes first prize. This year, the extra water from record snowfall may make the mosquito population even worse. In April, KSL TV’s Shelby Lofton reported that floodwater could bring a “more aggressive” type of mosquito in the spring and summer. Though these floodwater mosquitoes bite harder than others, the good news is that they don’t carry harmful diseases.
Daniel McBride, assistant director of the South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement District, told KSL that the kind of mosquitos that carry West Nile virus typically prefer permanent water sources.
“Buckets, gutters that haven’t been cleaned out, maybe an old horse trough, maybe even a cup you left out when you were playing outside. Get rid of that water,” McBride warns.
Spiders
Spiders have long been on the list of most-feared creepy-crawlies, but they also might be some of the most misunderstood. According to a Utah State University Extension fact sheet, “Spiders
are beneficial predators and the majority of them are harmless to humans.”
In Utah, there are approximately 621 species of spiders, yet the USU Extensions says the only ones you really have to worry about are black widows. Contrary to what you might have been taught growing up, the dangerous brown recluse spider doesn’t live in Utah. There’s also no strong evidence that hobo spider bites are harmful.
If you want to keep these eight-legged bugs at bay, your best bet is to vacuum, clean and seal any cracks or crevices in your house. Otherwise, the USU Extension says pesticides are only recommended when you’re dealing with black widows or an outbreak of spiders.
Ticks
Between spiders and ticks, the latter is the more dangerous arachnid. That’s because ticks can carry diseases that might make you seriously ill. The USU Extension reports that you’re most likely to encounter ticks from snowmelt through mid-July in Utah, so be careful while you and the kids are out hiking.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends walking in the center of trails and avoiding wooded and brushy areas with tall grass to reduce your chances of a tick bite. Wear EPA-registered insect repellent and be sure to do a full body check for ticks if you’ve been in a potentially tick-infested area.
Blister beetles
It sounds like something from the “Hunger Games” novels, but blister beetles are real — and you don’t want to mess with them. Several varieties are found in Utah. One type common to alfalfa can cause serious illness or even death to livestock that accidentally consume them, according to an article about an outbreak in Tooele County.
According to Poison Control, “Blister beetles excrete a toxic blistering agent called cantharidin, which can cause irritation and blistering when it comes in contact with the eyes, skin, mouth, throat, or digestive tract.”
While that’s certainly unpleasant and painful, they’re usually not life-threatening.
Kissing bugs
Unlike the blister beetle whose name is an obvious warning sign, a kissing bug may not initially strike a lot of fear into your heart. But even though it’s not the most dangerous insect in the world, there’s still a good reason to avoid them if you can. The bug got its name because it’s known for biting people on the face. And if that thought is enough to keep you up at night, you aren’t going to like this next part.
The Mayo Clinic says these bugs, known as triatomine bug, can carry Chagas disease. The disease comes from a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. Their website says, “Infected bugs defecate after feeding, leaving behind parasites on the skin. The parasites can then enter your body through your eyes, mouth, a cut or scratch, or the wound from the bug’s bite.”
Even though it seems like the best idea after being bitten, don’t scratch or rub the bite site! It might help the parasites enter your body.
So, sleep tight — and definitely don’t let those kissing bugs bite!
Tarantula hawks
Tarantula hawks are nothing like their name implies, so you don’t have to worry about being attacked by giant flying spiders any time soon. But the real thing isn’t much better. It’s a giant wasp that’s big enough to hunt tarantulas — and in the unlikely chance that one stings you, you’ll definitely take notice.
One researcher described the tarantula hawk sting this way to the Natural History Museum of Utah, “To me, the pain is like an electric wand that hits you, inducing an immediate, excruciating pain that simply shuts down one’s ability to do anything, except, perhaps, scream. Mental discipline simply does not work in these situations.”
Bottom line: Don’t make this thing mad.
Now that you’ve got a case of the creepy crawlies, just remember that it’s relatively rare to run into these bugs. By taking a few precautions — such as wearing insect repellant and proper clothing outdoors — you’ll minimize your chances of being bugged by these summer pests. If you’re worried about a particular bite or sting, contact a healthcare professional.
Siegfried & Jensen
Since 1990, Siegfried & Jensen have been helping the people of Utah and surrounding states who have suffered needless injuries and death caused by car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, defective drugs, dog bites, wrongful death, and other types of personal injury.
The firm is committed to keeping Utah families and communities safe by ensuring wrongdoers are held accountable. While a lawsuit isn’t always the answer when it is needed having someone on your side can mean the difference between declaring bankruptcy and rebuilding your life and moving forward, especially when you’re up against an insurance company or a hospital.
Siegfried & Jensen has represented more than 35,000 clients and recovered over $1.2 billion for them.
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Utah
Utah Made: Multi-generational ladder company still going strong
![Utah Made: Multi-generational ladder company still going strong](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3580e15/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1280x672+0+24/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx-default-stgec.uplynk.com%2Fause%2Fslices%2F566%2Fef205c0e5ea14d77944cbd6904335118%2F5665d67a422b4bcd8d819beb96c163fc%2Fposter_90693891642a4b1292d2fdbcbc19dcc2.jpg)
SPRINGVILLE, Utah — Art Wing still fondly remembers when his late dad Hal Wing, the founder of Little Giant Ladders, said: “If you concentrate on building the company and not the person, you will fail. If you concentrate on building the person, the company will take care of itself.”
That motto is still at Little Giant’s core today.
In the early 1970s, Hal was a salesman living in Germany, forging a friendship with an inventor who created a ladder that Hal thought was a technological marvel. He took the idea back to the United States, perfecting it and pattening it before heading out on the road.
“He bought a pinto station wagon and he loaded it with ladders, and he went on the road upwards of 250 days a year just selling them out of that thing,” Art recalled.
Art says the roadshow worked, and people quickly took note of their sturdy ladders and all they could do.
In 2002, Little Giant Ladders climbed to new heights by hitting television screens all over the country with an infomercial that often ran late at night and on weekend afternoons. It was a catchy ad that ran for 16 years and racked up sales of over a billion dollars in ladders sold.
Today, the Little Giant brand continues where it started, calling Utah home.
Company president and CEO Ryan Moss says the Beehive State is headquarters for good reason.
“We have great people here in the state of Utah. Honestly, that is one of the best blessings about Little Giant, is the wonderful people that we get to work with every single day,” Moss said. “They’re hardworking, they’re smart, they’re creative.”
While Utah is the Little Giant premier factory, the company has facilities and warehouses all over the world, working to keep their standards and safety high. Globally, Little Giant employs several thousand people, together taking a small idea to a huge enterprise and stepping up the ladder of success with no end in sight
Utah
Warning issued after harmful algal bloom found at Utah Lake marina
![Warning issued after harmful algal bloom found at Utah Lake marina](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f1fffb1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1280x672+0+24/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx-default-stgec.uplynk.com%2Fause%2Fslices%2F71b%2Fef205c0e5ea14d77944cbd6904335118%2F71b9743029874a4791e2572423f450bd%2Fposter_b3595cf7870f40839053b6c929f55523.png)
SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah — A Warning Advisory has been issued for an area along Utah Lake after a harmful algal bloom was detected Tuesday.
The City of Saratoga Springs said the bloom was found present at the Saratoga Springs, and could be producing dangerous toxins that would be harmful to humans and animals.
The Utah County Health Department issued the warning, advising people to do the following when in the vicinity of the marina:
- Do not swim or water ski
- Avoid areas of algae when boating
- Clean fish well and discard guts
- Keep animals away
- Don’t drink the water
Algal blooms can cause skin, nerve and liver damage,
Utah
2025 three-star defensive back Manny Fuller commits to Utah
![2025 three-star defensive back Manny Fuller commits to Utah](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_568,h_319,x_35,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/all_utes/01j1t82fj85me10xzz1a.png)
Utah’s football program, led by coach Kyle Whittingham, continues its impressive recruitment streak with the commitment of Shelton “Manny” Fuller, a three-star safety from El Paso, Texas. Fuller, the 11th commitment to wrap up June, and the 13th for the 2025 class, which adds significant value to the team’s defensive lineup.
Fuller, who visited Salt Lake City earlier this month, had also considered Houston, BYU, and Oregon State before deciding on Utah. He was Initially planning to commit in August, but announced his decision early via Instagram.
Fuller was ranked as the No. 44 athlete in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports. At 6-feet and 170 pounds, he’s known for his versatility and physicality on the field. Without question his combination of strong ball skills with an aggressive playing style, particularly excelling in run defense. As he continues to develop physically, his tackling power is expected to improve, enhancing his already notable defensive capabilities.
Utah hits three of the biggest lists for EA Sports College Football 25
Fuller’s commitment marks the ninth defensive player for Utah in 2025, joining a robust group of recruits including quarterback Wyatt Becker, tight end Drew Clemens, and several defensive standouts like Nela Tupou and Max Fonoimoana. With this strong early recruitment drive, Utah is building significant momentum and positioning itself for a successful future.
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