The Unseen Eight-Legged Inhabitants Lurking in Your Abode

6 House Spider Species Hiding in the Corners of Your Home

Spiders are some of the most common creatures we share our homes with. While they may seem scary at first, most house spider species are harmless and even helpful, keeping pest insects under control.

American House Spiders

The American house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) is one of the most common house spiders in North America. These small, brown spiders typically spin messy cobwebs in corners, garages, and basements. They’re harmless to humans and help control pest insects like flies and mosquitoes.

Cellar Spiders

Cellar spiders (Pholcus phalangioides), often called “daddy long legs,” are recognizable by their long, thin legs and small, pale bodies. These spiders prefer dark, damp areas like basements, crawl spaces, and closets. Their webs are loose and irregular, making them easy to spot.

Funnel Web Spiders

Funnel web spiders, including hobo spiders and grass spiders, are similar species known for their funnel-shaped webs. These spiders prefer secluded areas like basements, wood piles, or tree trunks. While most of these spiders are harmless to humans, some can cause painful bites that may lead to bacterial infections.

Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are ground-dwelling hunters with large brown or gray bodies and long legs. They don’t build webs to catch their prey and often enter homes in search of food, particularly in crawl spaces and basements. These fast-moving spiders are easy to identify by their robust body shape, hairy legs, and distinctive white markings.

Brown Recluse Spiders

The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) is one of the few common spider species that you should be wary of. It’s infamous for its venomous bite, which can cause necrotic skin lesions in rare cases. These spiders are tan to brown with a violin-shaped marking on their back and prefer undisturbed areas like attics, closets, and wood piles.

Black Widow Spiders

The black widow spider is one of the most recognizable spider species due to its jet-black appearance, large abdomen, and red hourglass markings. While bites from these spiders are rare, they can be quite painful and may cause numbness, sweating, and nausea. Medical treatment should be sought out immediately if a bite occurs.

Other Spiders You Might Encounter

Aside from the common house spiders mentioned above, you might encounter other spiders like jumping spiders, orb-weavers, or sac spiders. These arachnids vary in appearance and habits but all play a role in controlling pest insects around your home.