Brown recluse vs. house spider - what’s the difference?

The common house spider is one of the most frequently encountered spiders in homes. Despite their reputation, they're largely harmless.

• Appearance — Typically yellowish-brown with a dirty white or mottled abdomen and darker chevron-like markings. Body length ranges from 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch, with females larger than males
• Habitat — Prefers undisturbed corners, basements, garages, and window frames. Builds messy, tangled cobwebs and tends to stay close to its web
• Behavior — Largely passive and unlikely to bite unless directly handled. Will abandon a web and build a new one if prey is scarce
• Risks — None

The brown recluse is one of the few spiders in the U.S. capable of causing a medically significant bite. 

• Appearance — Plain tan to dark brown with no stripes or banding on the legs. A dark, violin-shaped marking sits on top of the cephalothorax, with the neck pointing toward the abdomen. Body length is typically 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch
• Habitat — Dark, undisturbed spaces like closets, cardboard boxes, under furniture, and inside shoes or clothing left on the floor; spins irregular webs low to the ground
• Behavior — Reclusive and non-aggressive; bites typically occur when the spider is accidentally trapped against skin or disturbed without warning
• Risks — Bites can cause serious tissue damage in some cases