How can I tell what spider is in my house?

Finding a spider in your house can be alarming, but most spiders you encounter indoors are harmless to humans. Identifying the type of spider can help you assess if it poses any risk and determine the best way to remove or relocate it.

What are some common household spiders?

Here are some of the most common spiders found inside homes:

• Cellar spiders – Long, thin spiders with small bodies and long legs. They build loose, irregular webs in corners of rooms.
• Jumping spiders – Compact, hairy spiders that jump to move around. They have large front eyes and don’t build webs.
• Wolf spiders – Fast-moving, hairy spiders with long legs. They don’t build webs but hunt for prey.
• House spiders – Dark spiders with bulbous abdomens. They build messy, tube-like webs in undisturbed areas.
• Cobweb spiders – Small spiders with compact bodies that build sheet-like webs in corners or ceilings.

How can I identify a spider in my home?

Here are some tips for identifying a household spider:

• Examine the spider’s physical characteristics – body shape, leg length, colors, and markings.
• Note distinctive features like large front eyes on jumping spiders.
• Check for webs – funnel-shaped for funnel weavers, tube-like for house spiders.
• Observe the spider’s movement – jumping spiders jump, wolf spiders run fast.
• Use a field guide or online image search to match your spider to photos.

What are some harmless spiders I may find inside?

Most household spiders are harmless to humans and help control pest populations. Here are some common harmless indoor spiders:

• Daddy longlegs – Have small bodies and extraordinarily long, thin legs. Venom is not medically significant.
• Orb weavers – Spin large, circular webs outdoors but sometimes found indoors. rarely bite.
• Grass spiders – Agile, funnel-web spiders common in homes. They have spikes on their legs but are not aggressive.
• Parson spiders – Swift brown spiders with a faint violin or fiddle pattern on their back. Very mild venom.
• Crab spiders – Compact spiders with front legs that resemble crabs’ legs. They rarely bite.

What spiders should I be cautious of inside my home?

Most spiders pose minimal risk, but here are a few spiders with more potent venom that may occasionally find their way indoors:

• Brown recluse spiders – Shy, brown spiders with a violin shape on their body. Venom can cause necrotic wounds but they rarely bite.
• Black widow spiders – Shiny black spiders with red hourglass shape on abdomen. Venom is neurotoxic but bites are very rare.
• Hobo spiders – Fast brown spiders that make funnel-shaped webs. Mildly venomous but not aggressive.
• Yellow sac spiders – Pale spiders that build silken tubes or sacs for nests. Bites cause mild reactions.

While the above spiders can deliver more toxic bites, the risk of being bitten is extremely low and there are no confirmed deaths from their bites in recent decades.

How can I safely remove a spider from my home?

Here are some tips for safely removing spiders from your house:

• Use a cup and stiff paper to catch the spider, then release it outside.
• Vacuum the spider up with a vacuum hose attachment if you prefer not to get too close.
• Use a broom to gently sweep smaller spiders into a dustpan for removal.
• For webs, use a broom or vacuum for high webs, or wipe away with a cloth.
• Seal cracks and openings around your home to deter spiders from entering.

Avoid smashing spiders if possible, as this may release eggs or leave traces that attract other spiders. Only use insecticides if absolutely necessary, as natural spider control is best.

What can I do to deter spiders in my home?

Here are some tips to make your home less inviting to spiders:

• Reduce clutter like piles of boxes, papers, or debris where spiders can hide.
• Clean frequently to remove spider webs both high and low.
• Fix cracks and seal openings around windows and doors.
• Install screens on windows and vents to keep spiders out.
• Use enclosed trash cans and keep food sealed away to deny spiders food sources.
• Turn off exterior lights at night that may attract insects and, in turn, spiders.
• Trim vegetation touching your home’s exterior and clear tall grasses near the foundation.

When should I call a pest control professional for spiders?

In most cases, you can manage occasional spider encounters on your own. But you may want to call a pest control expert if:

• You have an infestation of spiders, especially black widows, brown recluses, or hobos.
• You are unable to reduce spiders by sealing your home and removing webs and clutter.
• Spider bites occur frequently in your home.
• You have health concerns preventing you from removing spiders safely.
• Large webs reappear rapidly after cleaning.

Professional exterminators have the proper equipment and chemicals to address severe spider issues. But use this option sparingly, as pesticides may also kill beneficial insects.

Key Takeaways

• Identify spiders by examining their body shape, leg length, colors, markings, and movement patterns.
• Most common household spiders like daddy longlegs and orb weavers are harmless to humans.
• Spider bites from more venomous species like black widows are extremely rare indoors.
• Remove spiders by trapping them in a cup or vacuuming them up to safely release them outside.
• Deter spiders by sealing your home, eliminating clutter, and removing webs and food sources.
• Call a pest professional for severe infestations, especially of potentially dangerous spider species.

With proper identification and low-impact control methods, you can coexist safely with the helpful pest controllers already in your home. A few simple spider-proofing steps can prevent most spiders from taking up residence indoors and provide peace of mind.