What do house spiders look like?
American house spiders are typically small, with adults ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in body length (excluding their legs). They are generally brown or grayish, often with darker markings or patterns on their abdomen. Some may have light or dark bands. Their legs are long and slender, and they spin irregular webs in corners of rooms or hidden spaces like basements, attics, and behind furniture.
Where do house spiders build webs?
House spiders typically build webs in undisturbed, hidden areas of the home where they can easily catch prey. Common locations include:
- Corners of rooms: These spiders often spin their webs in the upper or lower corners, with less foot traffic.
- Basements and attics: These areas are ideal for spiders because they are often dark and quiet, providing a safe environment.
- Near furniture: Spiders find places to weave their webs in rarely moved or cleaned areas, such as behind couches or cabinets.
- Closets or storage areas: Less frequently disturbed, these areas can provide a secure environment for web-building.
House spiders generally prefer places with minimal disturbance but where they can still trap flying insects, which make up most of their diet.
What attracts house spiders?
House spiders are attracted to homes for several reasons:
- Food sources: These spiders primarily prey on insects, especially flies, moths, and other small bugs. Homes provide a steady food supply, especially in areas with poor sealing, which allows insects to enter.
- Warmth and shelter: Homes offer warmth and protection from the elements, particularly in colder months. Spiders are attracted to areas like basements, attics, and wall corners where they can build their webs undisturbed.
- Dark, quiet areas: These arachnids prefer dark, undisturbed spaces where they can hide and build webs. Locations like behind furniture, in closets, and corners of rooms provide ideal conditions.
How do house spiders get inside?
House spiders are small and can find their way inside through even the smallest, hidden gaps. Here are some common entry points to be mindful of:
- Gaps that form in old weatherstripping
- Damaged portions of door sweeps
- Gaps in doors that are not correctly aligned
- Cracks in door or window wood framing
- Rotted wood underneath siding where there is moisture damage—typically caused by clogged gutters
- Gaps around pipes or wire conduits that enter the home through the exterior wall or foundation
- Damaged screens and broken window panes
- Unprotect vents
- Gaps in the roofline
If you hope to keep spiders out, take time to address these potential entry points. Sealing your home will not only keep spiders out, but it can also help reduce your energy bills.
Are house spiders harmful?
In most cases, no. While they may startle people with their appearance or webs, their rare bites typically result in only mild discomfort and perhaps slight redness or swelling. These spiders are considered harmless, especially compared to brown recluse spiders and black widows.
How do I get rid of house spiders?
Contact got bugs? Termite & Pest Solutions today for help eliminating spiders that have infested your home. Our year-round home pest control services target spiders and other common household pests.
How can I prevent house spiders?
To keep spiders and their prey out, we recommend implementing the following spider prevention tips:
- Use caulking material, expanding foam, screens, and weatherproofing to seal potential entry points.
- Keep your yard free of leaves, sticks, and other organic clutter.
- Clean gutters, trim vegetation, and keep your grass cut low.
- Replace exterior white lights with lights that cast yellow light. Yellow light does not attract insects.
- Keep lights off in entryways and around other exterior doors.
- Keep trash receptacles away from exterior doors.
- Routinely remove trash to reduce pest-attracting smells.
- Keep your home clean.
- Protect interior food sources.
