Call today for a free quote!  216-252-7140
House Spider close up from the front - keep spiders away from your kitchen with General Pest Control in Middleburg Heights

House Spider

Actual Size: 1″ length, 2″ leg span

Characteristics: Gray-brown to dark brown; two dark stripes on the head and thorax.

Legs: 8

Habitat: Usually found in quiet, undisturbed sections of gardens, backyards, sheds, homes, attics, and other man-made environments.

Habits:

  • Constructs webs composed of intersecting strands of sticky silk.
  • Non-aggressive and tend to avoid humans. They will typically flee if disturbed.
  • Help control the population of pests like flies, mosquitoes, and cockroaches.
  • Females can lay several egg sacs, each containing dozens to hundreds of eggs.


House Spiders in Cleveland

The domestic or common house spider, the most common spider in North America, is often found indoors and considered a nuisance primarily because of its webs. These webs, commonly known as cobwebs, consist of numerous intersecting strands of adhesive silk and are commonly located in room corners and on ceilings. House spiders are adept at trapping prey, catching any insects that enter their sticky webs. If their webs do not capture prey, the webs are left behind, and a new site is chosen. Despite being a nuisance, house spiders play an important role in controlling insect populations indoors. 

House Spider Habitat

House spiders favor quiet, undisturbed places where they can find moisture and food. They are particularly resilient, adapting well to various environments and thriving in spaces where they can establish stable habitats. They are often located in gardens, backyards, basements, attics, barns, sheds, and other man-made structures. House spiders are skilled at building intricate webs that serve as both their homes and traps for unsuspecting insects. If undisturbed, they can occupy the same web for up to seven years in attics, basements, and garages. Outside, the females will die from the cold, and the males will rarely live for more than a year.

House Spider Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

House spiders generally pose minimal threats or dangers to humans. While their presence can be unsettling and their webs considered a nuisance, their venom is typically not harmful to humans. Bites are rare and usually occur only when the spider feels threatened or cornered, resulting in mild symptoms such as redness, swelling, or itching. People with allergies or sensitivities may experience more severe reactions in certain cases. House spiders do not cause harm to property and play a positive role by consuming other pests that can cause damage, such as termites, carpenter ants, moths, and stink bugs.

If you are dealing with a common house spider problem, always contact your local spider exterminators.