What Is a House Spider?

House spiders are a frequent sight in homes across the United States, often causing concern for homeowners. While many people fear these eight-legged creatures, most house spiders are harmless and can even be beneficial by controlling other household pests.

Understanding the types of spiders commonly found in homes, their habits, and how to manage them can help homeowners make informed decisions about pest control. This article will explore the most common house spiders and their characteristics and provide tips for dealing with them.

What Are House Spiders?

The term “house spider” can be misleading, as it doesn’t refer to a single species. Instead, it’s a common name used for various spider species frequently found in homes. Some spiders that regularly inhabit homes don’t carry the house spider name, while others that do may not be as common indoors. 

I’ll focus on spider species commonly encountered in homes, using their scientific names along with common names.

Types of Common House Spiders

House spiders come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Here are some of the most frequently encountered species in American homes:

American House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)

The American house spider, also known as the common house spider or cobweb spider, is found throughout the world, including across the United States. These spiders are known for their web-building habits and are often responsible for the numerous cobwebs found in homes.

American house spiders have dark yellowish bodies with large off-white or brown abdomens and long, stick-like legs with yellow and brown stripes. They prefer dark, damp locations for web construction. 

American house spiders rarely bite humans, and their bites aren’t considered medically significant. They play a beneficial role in controlling other household insects.

Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium spp.)

Yellow sac spiders are common around homes, particularly in garages and gardens. They belong to the Cheiracanthium family and are found throughout the United States.

These spiders have pale, tan-colored bodies with dark-colored mouthparts and yellow, milky-white, or green-tinted abdomens. They’re aggressive hunters that don’t build webs for prey capture. 

While yellow sac spiders can bite, their venom is not as potent as once believed. Bites may cause a sharp stinging sensation followed by a small red welt that typically heals within a few weeks.

Brown House Spider (Steatoda grossa)

People often mistake the brown house spider for the black widow. It’s also known as the cupboard spider or false widow and is found across Europe, Australia, Asia, and the United States, especially on the East Coast.

The brown house spider resembles the black widow in both size and shape. However, it has a large, brown-black abdomen with long, dark legs and lacks the red hourglass marking of true widow spiders. 

While their bite can be painful, it’s generally less severe than that of a black widow. Symptoms may include immediate sharp pain, followed by a deep ache and possible nausea, headaches, and lethargy lasting for several days.

Domestic House Spider (Tegenaria domestica)

Also known as the barn spider, the domestic house spider is found throughout Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean, and North America. It’s commonly seen in barns, backyards, basements, and attics, especially during the fall months.

This spider has a long, flat body with thin, hairy legs. It’s relatively small, ranging from 6 to 11 millimeters. Its abdomen colors vary from pale to dark brown, peach, or greenish-brown with dark splotches.

These spiders are extremely fast and skittish, making bites rare.

Giant House Spider (Eratigena atrica)

True to its name, the giant house spider is one of the largest house spiders, commonly growing to over five inches. In the United States, it’s found only in Michigan, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The giant house spider is a member of the wolf spider family. It prefers dark, damp areas for web construction. People often find them in flowerpots, woodpiles, and mulch, as well as in crawl spaces and basements.

Despite their intimidating size, giant house spiders are shy and prefer to run rather than bite. Bites are extremely uncommon and not considered medically significant.

What Other Spider Species Are Commonly Found in Homes?

While not typically labeled as house spiders, several other spider species often make their way into people’s homes:

Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are small, fast hunters that don’t spin webs. You’ll most often find them under furniture, in garages, or along baseboards.

They have dark brown bodies with stripes, grow up to 1 inch long, and are covered in hair. They’re known for carrying spiderlings on their backs. 

Black Widow Spiders

One of the most infamous spiders, the black widow is known for its potent venom and distinctive appearance. It has a shiny black body with a bright red hourglass marking. The black widow hides in cluttered, secluded places like garages or sheds. Its bites can be serious and often require medical attention. 

Hobo Spiders

Common in the northwestern portions of the United States, the hobo spider poses a nasty encounter. This type of funnel-web spider seeks out locations with soil, rocks, and dirt to build its webs. It displays a yellowish-brown coloration with two vertical stripes down the center of its body and has a mottled abdomen in brown, yellow, or gray.

Some experts say the hobo spider’s venom resembles that of a brown recluse spider, while others argue that the bite is not overtly harmful, only highly painful. We recommend approaching these spiders with caution, as they tend to bite defensively.

Cellar Spiders

Also known as daddy longlegs spiders, cellar spiders are perhaps the most common house spiders. They have long, thin legs with small, dot-like or tear-drop-shaped bodies, and you’ll often find them in cellars, attics, and closets. Cellar spiders are completely harmless to humans and pets.

Brown Recluse Spiders

Brown recluse spiders are known for their potent venom, which can cause serious tissue damage. They have a milky white abdomen with a fiddle-like marking on the body with long, thin legs. Their bites can be serious and should be treated by a medical professional.

Tips For Managing House Spiders

While most house spiders are harmless and even beneficial, some homeowners may prefer to reduce their presence. Here are some tips for managing house spiders:

1. Seal entry points: Close off cracks, gaps, and openings around windows, doors, and foundations to prevent spiders from entering.
2. Reduce clutter: Minimize hiding spots by keeping storage areas organized and clutter free.
3. Regular cleaning: Vacuum and dust often to remove webs and egg sacs.
4. Natural repellents: Use essential oils like peppermint or vinegar solutions to discourage spiders.
5. Outdoor maintenance: Keep vegetation trimmed away from the house and remove woodpiles or debris near the foundation.

Effective Traps and Professional Assistance

Traps and professional pest control services can further help in managing spider populations:

Sticky Traps

Sticky traps are an effective, nontoxic solution for capturing spiders. Place these traps in areas where you most often see spiders. The adhesive surface traps spiders as they walk over it. Check and replace the traps regularly to maintain their effectiveness.

Professional Pest Control

For severe infestations or if DIY methods aren’t effective, you’ll need professional pest control services. Pest control experts can identify the species present in your home and develop a targeted treatment plan. Professional services may include insecticides or specialized equipment that thoroughly removes spiders and other pests.

Understanding Seasonal Trends

The presence of house spiders often varies with the seasons. During fall and winter, spiders move indoors seeking warmth and food,‌ leading to increased sightings. Understanding these seasonal trends can help homeowners expect and prepare for potential spider activity.

Use of Insecticides

Insecticides are a useful tool in reducing spider populations, but you should use them with caution. Opt for spot treatments in areas where you know spiders congregate, such as baseboards, corners, and behind furniture. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consider using less toxic options when possible to minimize risk to humans and pets.

Encouraging Natural Predators

Encouraging the presence of natural predators in your garden can help control spider populations. You can attract birds, lizards, and other natural enemies of spiders by providing suitable habitat, including planting native vegetation, providing water sources, and creating shelters.

Sharing Information

Educating family members and others about the benefits of spiders can help reduce the fear often associated with these arachnids. Highlighting the positive role spiders play in controlling other pests and the fact that most are harmless can foster a more balanced view and reduce needless concern.

Final Thoughts About House Spiders

While encountering a spider in your home can be startling, most house spiders are harmless and can even be beneficial by controlling other insect populations. If you want a spider-free home, implementing preventive measures and maintaining a clean, clutter-free environment will help reduce your spider issue. 

However, if spider infestations become overwhelming, particularly during the fall and winter months when spiders seek warmth and food indoors, you may need to consult with a professional pest control service for safe and effective management strategies.