Yahoo Lifestyle 6 House Spider Species Hiding in the Corners of Your Home
Spiders are some of the most common creatures we share our homes with. While they may seem scary at first, most house spider species are harmless and even helpful, keeping pest insects under control.
From wolf spiders to cellar spiders, these arachnids come in all shapes and sizes, each with unique traits and behaviors. Let's take a closer look at some of the most common house spiders you might encounter!
1. American House Spiders
As the name would lead you to believe, the American house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) is one of the most common house spiders in North America.
These small, brown spiders typically spin messy cobwebs in corners, garages and basements. They're harmless to humans and help control pest insects like flies and mosquitoes.
You'll often find their egg sacs suspended in their webs, ensuring the next generation is ready to keep your home bug-free. These spiders are shy and will avoid human interaction.
2. Cellar Spiders
Cellar spiders (Pholcus phalangioides), often called "daddy long legs," are recognizable by their long, thin legs and small, pale bodies. They prefer dark, damp areas like basements, crawl spaces and closets. Their webs are loose and irregular, making them easy to spot.
These spiders are harmless to humans, and their bites are much less painful than a bee sting. Cellar spiders often compete with other spiders for territory, even preying on them in some cases.
Daddy long legs can also refer to a distantly related family of arachnids which scavenge on decaying plant and animal matter, making them nonthreatening to living animals and people.
3. Funnel Web Spiders
Funnel web spiders, including hobo spiders and grass spiders, are similar species known for their funnel-shaped webs. These spiders prefer secluded areas like basements, wood piles or tree trunks. The funnel at the back of their web provides a hiding spot where the spider waits to ambush prey.
While hobo spiders have a reputation for being aggressive, most of these spiders are harmless to humans. Grass spider venom is unlikely to cause significant harm, and their primary focus is on catching pest insects.
However, a hobo spider bite will be significantly more painful and possibly cause bacterial infection and lesions if the victim does not seek medical attention.
4. Wolf Spiders
With large brown or gray bodies and long legs, wolf spiders are ground-dwelling hunters that do not build webs to catch their prey.
These fast-moving spiders often enter homes in search of food, particularly in crawl spaces and basements. They're easy to identify by their robust body shape, hairy legs and distinctive white markings.
Though their size may be intimidating, wolf spiders are nonaggressive and beneficial for keeping pest populations in check. Glue traps are an effective way to catch them if they wander into living rooms and other indoor areas. However, you may want to consider just leaving them be.
5. Brown Recluse Spiders
The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is one of the few common spider species that you should be wary of. It's infamous for its venomous bite, which can cause necrotic skin lesions in rare cases (emphasis on rare — most brown recluse bites are harmless).
These spiders are tan to brown with a violin-shaped marking on their back. They prefer undisturbed areas like attics, closets and wood piles.
Brown recluse spiders are shy and nonaggressive, biting only when threatened. If you suspect an infestation, it's a good idea to inspect dark, hidden areas and seal cracks to prevent entry.
6. Black Widow Spiders
The black widow, particularly the female of the species, has garnered a reputation as one of the most dangerous spiders in the world.
Females can be identified easily with their jet black appearance, large abdomen, and red hourglass markings. Males of the species are much smaller in size, brown-colored, and generally harmless.
Black widows can be quite common in the warmer regions of North America. However, bites on humans are rare because the spider likes to hide out in dark, dry areas and isn't very active in the daytime.
If a bite does occur, the neurotoxic venom can cause numbness, sweating and nausea. Smaller animals like house cats have also been known to suffer fatalities from black widow bites. Medical treatment should be sought out immediately.
Other Spiders You Might Encounter
Aside from these common house spiders, you might encounter other spiders like jumping spiders, orb-weavers or sac spiders. These arachnids vary in appearance and habits, but they all play a role in controlling pest insects around your home.
Whether spinning intricate webs or hunting on the ground, most spiders are beneficial allies, helping to keep your living space free of unwanted bugs. While all spiders are venomous to an extant, most do not pose long-term health effects for humans and like to keep to themselves.
Next time you see one, remember: They're more scared of you than you are of them!
We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.
Now That's Fearful
Arachnophobia is described as a fear and anxiety of spiders beyond the point of logic. The phobia can become so pervasive that it prevents a person from going places or completing activities if they think spiders might be present. The Cleveland Clinic estimates that arachnophobia affects up to 15 percent of the general population and is more common in females than males.
Original article: 6 House Spider Species Hiding in the Corners of Your Home
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