For many of us, seeing any type of spider indoors can cause alarm. It’s good to be familiar with the common types of household spiders and to know whether they pose a health risk. They aren’t all cause for panic. Some can actually be beneficial in controlling other insects. You can identify some spiders by web patterns but it’s much easier to identify most spiders by color, shape, and markings.

American House Spider

This spider is a common type known for its webs. You’ve likely seen evidence of this species in your home. Their “unorganized” webs often referred to as cobwebs are typically seen in basements, closets and crawl spaces.

Description:

• Small to medium (about the size of a nickel including the legs)
• Brown, tan, or greyish with darker brown patterns speckled with white and dark patches
• A bulbous abdomen that is neither spherical nor flat

Although harmless, these spiders are considered a nuisance because of their messy webs that look unsightly. They’re actually part of a group known as cobweb spiders which also includes long-bodied cellar spiders.

Long-bodied Cellar Spider

Though often mistaken for daddy longlegs because of its long spindly legs, the long-bodied cellar spider is not the same thing as a daddy longlegs. These spiders do not pose any health risk, though they also leave very unsightly cobwebs in homes.

Description:

• A long body that is much longer than it is wide
• Very long, thin legs that can make the spider seem quite large
• Cellar spiders range in color from pale yellowish to light brown or grey coloration

Unlike some species that make new webs to replace old ones, cellar spiders will continue to layer additional, new webs on top of their old ones. As a result, the webs can build up excessively in a somewhat short period of time, creating a noticeable cobweb appearance in the home and becoming full of captured bugs and dust.

Brown Recluse

The brown recluse is part of the brown spider family. You can find them indoors in basements, attics, crawl spaces, between walls, furniture, and even in clothing. They’re often carried into the home via boxes and bags. This spider is venomous and does pose a health risk.

Description:

• Brown or greyish solid color, not splotchy like the wolf spider
• Oval body, about 1/3” long
• A distinctive violin-shaped marking on the upper body near the head

The brown recluse’s venom has a cytotoxin, meaning it can affect the tissue at the bite site. Medical treatment is needed, as dangerous reactions from the venom can occur. These may include but are not limited to chills, fever, rash, pain, and nausea.

Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders tend to hunt for prey during the day. You may spot them on the inside of a window, screen door, along a wall, or any surface exposed to daylight. They move by jumping quickly, as their name suggests.

Description:

• Brown, black, tan, grey, or beige coloration
• Compact, almost an inch long
• Dense hairs, front legs that are longer than the others

The jumping spider’s bite is similar to a bee sting, but not usually severe unless the victim of this bite experiences an allergic reaction. Children or anyone allergic to spider bites may experience more severe reactions, which can differ from person to person.

Wolf Spiders

Wolf spiders are larger than many of the other common household spiders. They may enter your home through foundation cracks, windows, or come in through an attached garage. Considered a hunting spider, they eat many pesty insects.

Description:

• Brown, black, tan, greyish-beige, splotchy coloration
• Bodies longer than an inch
• Elongated body with hairy-looking legs

Harmless to humans, the brown-colored wolf spiders sometimes are mistaken for the brown recluse. Though there are differences in appearance as discussed here. However, anyone allergic to spider bites may suffer a reaction that could require medical treatment even if a spider isn’t venomous.

If you have a spider infestation or any other type of pest problem contact our professionals at Eagle Pest Services to schedule an inspection.