House Spiders
Achaearanea tepidariorum
House Spider Identification
Pest Stats
Color
Yellowish brown, abdomen dirty white with several dark stripes meeting at angle
Legs
8
Shape
Elongated abdomen
Size
3/16 – 5/16“ (female) 1/8 – 3/16” (male)
Antennae
No
Region
Found throughout U.S.
What Do House Spiders Look Like?
Adult female house spiders have an almost spherical abdomen and are roughly 3/16-5/16" (5-8 mm) in length. Their male counterparts have elongated abdomens and are about 1/8-3/16" (3.8-4.7 mm) in length. For both females and males, the color is highly variable. House spiders have eight eyes with two lateral pairs almost touching. The last tarsal segment of the fourth pair of legs has a row of serrated bristles.
Signs of an Infestation
Signs of house spider infestations include seeing the spider and its webs. A house spider control professional may be necessary.
House Spider Photos
House Spider Infestation
How to Get Rid of House Spiders
To prevent common house spiders from entering the home, seal cracks around the outside of the house using a silicone-based caulk. Also, screen windows and doors. If you find a house spider inside, you can get rid of it by using a vacuum to remove adults, egg sacs and webs. If a broom is used, adult house spiders can usually escape. Contact a licensed pest control professional if you suspect a spider infestation in the home.
Do House Spiders Bite?
House spiders are not known to bite but may do so in threatening situations, such as when they are being crushed. While house spider bites are typically not medically threatening, it is important to seek medical attention in the event of severe swelling, lesions or headaches.
House Spider Education
Habits and Habitat
The common house spider randomly selects its web sites and creates a tangled web. If a web does not yield prey (food) it is abandoned, another site is selected, and a new web built. Eventually, successful webs are constructed where air currents bring in prey. House spiders have a difficult time surviving in modern homes due to low humidity and fewer insects for food. They are more likely to be found inside structures like garages, sheds, barns and warehouses. Outside, these domestic spiders are often around windows and under eaves, especially near light sources that attract prey.
Inside structures, house spiders are most likely to be found in upper corners, under furniture, in closets, angles of window frames, basements, garages, and crawl spaces. In warehouses, they are common in corners near doors that stay open. Because of their web site selection by trial and error, many house spider webs may be constructed in several days. Dust collecting on these webs accentuates their presence.
Threats
Common house spiders are nuisance pests, but they pose no threats to humans. However a related species, the black widow spider, is considered a medically important pest.
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Slideshow: 5 Common Spider Invaders in the U.S.
Browse this slideshow for information on the habits and threats of 5 common spiders in the United States.