Most common house spiders are largely harmless. Their teeth and venom are not potent enough to cause significant harm to humans. While many find spiders unsettling due to appearance, they don’t pose real safety threats. Let’s take a look at eight common spiders in the United States and sort out the harmless from the harmful.
1 – American House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
These common house spiders are cobweb spiders, responsible for messy webs in room corners. Barring allergic reactions, they are completely harmless to humans or pets. How big can common house spiders get? The common house spider is small, less than a quarter inch (0.6 cm) long. Females tend to be larger than males. House spiders are brown, some with brown or white spotting on the abdomen.
Most bites from common house spiders are either harmless or cause only minor irritation. The domestic house spider is dark brown or orange with bands on legs. Spiders are beneficial predators, keeping insect pest populations in check.
10 Common House Spiders and How to Identify Them, According to Entomologists:
1. American house spider – small, size of a nickel, round abdomen
2. Wolf spider – over 200 species, range in size
3. Black widow
4. Brown recluse
5. Daddy longlegs
Spiders are common household pests. This guide explains what to know about house spiders. Some species are harmless, generally staying out of the way. Others can be highly poisonous. Spider bites can cause histamine reactions, especially in those allergic to bee stings. Being able to identify common house spiders and threat levels helps decide whether to evict them or allow them to eat other pests.
Most common house spiders spend entire lives indoors, preferring drier environments like air vents, high corners of rooms, and attics. Yes, spiders avoid human contact, which is why they are in seldom used areas like garages, attics, basements, closets, or guest rooms.
Most set up shop where food’s available, becoming unwanted guests – especially come winter. Some species are harmless, generally staying out of the way. Others can be highly poisonous. Being able to identify common house spiders and threat levels helps decide whether to evict them or allow them to eat other pests.
What is the most common indoor spider?
The American House Spider is the most common type of spider found indoors. This spider is usually tan, brown, or grey in color with a distinct darker brown pattern. American House Spiders are easily identifiable by their round abdomen and small size.
Most indoor spiders have webs in a secluded corner and won’t bother you unless directly provoked. But they will catch mosquitoes and flies for you — it’s organic pest control! Knowledge of the most common indoor spiders can help you know how to respond.
Watch for the 3 Most Common Indoor Spiders:
1. Common brown indoor house spider
2. Cellar Spiders
3. Jumping Spiders
Cellar spiders live in dark locations such as crawl spaces, basements, and cellars. They build webs and are generally quite small. The body of a cellar spider is about 1⁄4 inch long and they are usually gray or tan with long thin legs.
Jumping spiders are characterized by a small, rounded body, long, skinny legs and a light tan, beige or grey coloring. The spider is harmless to humans.
How venomous is the common house spider?
Common house spiders do have venom. However, they have very small fangs and minimal venom compared to humans. Most humans are unlikely to have a reaction to a common house spider bite.
To identify common house spiders, look for eight legs, body shape, markings, color, hairs and webs. Most are brown and hairless. The black widow is an exception with its red hourglass. Cobwebs or tangled webs are identifying features. Some outdoor spiders like orb weavers can make intricate webs indoors.
With thousands of spider species worldwide and in North America, some knowledge of biology can help determine which you have. Shades of brown, from light to dark, and darker leg rings identify common house spiders. Females tend to be larger. Perhaps the creepiest thing is they are fast runners.
While venomous, that venom is used against prey, not humans. Grass spiders rarely bite people. If bitten, you have nothing to worry about.
Some venom won’t affect people. However, some common house spiders can bite. When in doubt, call a pest control expert.
There are 7 common house spiders. Knowing what types are in your home can put you at ease. The seven types are: American house, grass, hobo, wolf, brown recluse, black widow and yellow sac spiders. Details on each spider, bite risk assessments and keeping them outside are provided.
What attracts common house spider?
Common house spiders, also known as American house spiders, are frequently found indoors. They range from 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide. They’re not venomous or aggressive. Many will tolerate being moved outside without reacting. All have yellow or orange legs with dark stripes. These spiders have mottled, dark brown bodies, with markings on their bellies. Their webs typically have a thicker section. They may add leaves to hide from prey. They lack the violin pattern on backs like brown recluses have.
Basements and bathrooms, with high humidity, attract these spiders. Cluttered houses also draw them in. Spiders enter homes for food and to lay eggs. The smells spiders like are the same ones humans like.
Understanding what attracts spiders can help prevent them from entering homes. Spiders are drawn to dark, undisturbed areas to build webs. Warmth, moisture and darkness make indoor spaces attractive. Warm, damp basements, attics and closets allow spiders to thrive. Once settled, they hunt insects for food. Large pest populations attract spiders. Insects like flies, mosquitoes and moths provide sustenance.
Common house spiders are usually brown or grey. Females range from 6-10 millimeters long, males 5-6 millimeters. Spiders have two body parts unlike insects with three. Spiders hunt at night, eating insects, birds, mammals and reptiles. Homes provide easy access to food and safety for egg laying.