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There are all kinds of spiders around the world. For every block in an urban area, there are millions of spiders. So, of course, humans and spiders often interact. That causes a lot of concerns for people because fear of spiders is one of the most common phobias. People worry about spider bites, even though they are completely uncommon and very rare and the number of spider bites that might actually be a health risk to humans is even more rare.
One of the most ubiquitous spiders, found in nearly every home or building, is the Common House Spider. As you can tell from the name, they are very common. They are the ones who build webs in the corners of ceilings, near floors, in basements and in living rooms. Are they dangerous? Western Exterminator is the expert in removing spider infestations and preventing spiders from returning.
If you have a spider problem, contact Western Exterminator today and discuss a spider treatment and prevention solution.
Common house spider characteristics
The common house spider is a relatively small spider that has adapted to urban life and humans, often setting up their webs in houses and buildings, which makes them one of the most common arachnids to have human interactions. The standard common house spider is in the achaearanea tepidariorum family.
The female common house spider is between 5 - 8 mm in length. Males are, like most species of spider, smaller. Their coloring is usually dark gray or brown with stripes or markings along their legs. They have thin legs and thicker, round bodies. Although common house spiders will set up their webs in the wild, they have adapted well to urban sprawl and are often found in webs inside homes.
Common house spider habits
Common house spiders are often confused with brown recluse or black widow spiders because they set up similar messy, disorganized webs. Sometimes the large, round abdomen with markings on it gets confused with those two spiders as well. However, the Common House spider will set up their webs in the corners of ceilings and one of the signs that you have them around are cobwebs as they abandon their webs and those abandoned webs collect dust.
Common house spiders may not set up one spot to build a web and wait. They will try different locations around the house until the find a spot that is abundant in food. They use their webs to trap smaller insects and they often spend time at the far end of a funnel-shape until prey gets trapped. They will then envenom their prey and wrap them in webbing for consumption later.
Where do common house spiders live?
These spiders thrive in undisturbed spaces, which is why they’re often found in basements, attics, and closets. Inside homes, they settle into corners of rooms, ceilings, or along window frames, waiting for insects to wander into their webs. Outside, they hide in garages, sheds, or under eaves where they’re sheltered from wind and rain.
Typically, common house spiders prefer warm, dry areas with easy access to food, which is why they stick around once they find the right spot. If conditions stay the same, a house spider may live in the same corner for months without being noticed.
What do common house spiders eat?
House spiders rely on a steady diet of flies, ants, mosquitoes, and other small insects. Instead of actively hunting, they build webs and wait for prey to get tangled. As soon as an insect is caught, the spider moves in fast, biting and wrapping it up for later.
Because they eat common household pests, they help keep insect numbers down. If food runs low, they may abandon their web and move to a different part of the house where bugs are more active.
Do common house spiders build webs?
Building spider webs is a key part of how house spiders survive. They spin their webs in ceilings, corners, and other tucked-away areas where insects pass through. Some spiders stay in the same web for weeks, while others rebuild if their web gets too damaged or no longer catches prey.
Even if a web looks abandoned, the spider may be hiding nearby, waiting for food. If their usual spot isn’t working, they’ll move to a better location with more insect activity.
How long do common house spiders live?
Most house spiders live for one to two years, but the right conditions can extend their lifespan. Food supply, temperature, and shelter all play a role in how long they survive.
Female spiders tend to live longer than males, especially if they have a reliable food source; they also lay hundreds of spider eggs in silk egg sacs, which can hatch in just a few weeks, leading to even more spiders in the home. Some may even last several years in spaces that are left alone, quietly keeping insect populations in check.
How do common house spiders get inside a home?
The common house spider is not a very big arachnid. They don't need much space to squeeze through and get inside a house. Common house spiders prefer quiet areas, off in a corner, where they can find prey. You very often see them in basements.
A common house spider gets inside a home through cracks in the foundation. They can enter interior wall spaces through holes and cracks in siding or exterior walls. Common house spiders can easily crawl under doors with any space below the bottom of the door and the ground. Any holes in window screens or any space in the house they can use.
Once a common house spider enters a property, they set up their webs and start to feed. If a male and female get inside, they will soon lay eggs in their webs. When the spiderlings hatch, they will find other areas of the house to set up their own webs and the cycle continues. Thus, you can quickly go from having one or two common house spiders to a full on common house spider infestation.
How to get rid of common house spiders?
While DIY methods like sealing cracks and reducing clutter can help, they don’t always address the root of the problem. For a lasting solution, professional pest control is the best option.
At Western Exterminator, we provide expert services designed to target both spiders and the insects they feed on. Our spider control technicians inspect your home, identify problem areas, and implement treatments that reduce house spider activity – all while preventing future infestations.
Common house spider bites
It is very unlikely that a common house spider will bite a human. They do not wander around as much as black widows and brown recluse spiders once they have found a place where the food is abundant. They prefer to sit in their webs and wait for prey to get trapped rather than hunting. Males might travel to look for mates during mating season, but they are very small and also unlikely to bite.
The common house spider will bite if provoked. However, even then it would often take grabbing the spider, handling it, or even pressing it to the skin to get it to bite.
Are common house spider bites venomous?
Common house spiders do have venom in their fangs that they use to paralyze prey. However, they have very small fangs and the amount of venom within them is minimal compared to the average human. Most humans are unlikely to have a reaction to a common house spider bite.
People who are sensitive to insect bites and stings might have a reaction. Red bumps, rashes and hives could indicate an allergic reaction, and medical attention should be sought immediately.
Western Exterminator common house spider solutions
If you have a large number of webs, it could mean you have a common house spider infestation problem. Although there is little in the way of health risks associated with the House spider, those webs, as they collect dust and debris, can make your home look messy. Western Exterminator spider control technician can help get rid of common house spiders already there and offer advice on how to prevent them from returning.
Don't let your arachnophobia get the better of you. Contact a Western Exterminator technician today.
Frequently asked questions:
Is a common house spider poisonous?
Common house spiders are not poisonous to humans. While they do have venom to subdue their prey, it is not known to be harmful to people. These spiders prefer to avoid humans and are not considered a threat. If you do get bitten by a common house spider, you’ll likely have a mild reaction, unless you’re sensitive or allergic to spider venom.
Are house spiders harmful?
House spiders are not known to be harmful to humans or pets. They rarely bite, and their venom is not usually dangerous. In fact, they help control pests like flies, mosquitoes, and ants. Their presence is usually more beneficial than harmful.
Why do I have common house spiders?
House spiders enter homes looking for food and shelter. If you have an insect problem, spiders may stay to feed on them. They also seek out warm, quiet areas to build webs. Gaps in windows, doors, and foundations make it easy for them to get inside.
How do I identify a common house spider?
Common house spiders are small to medium-sized with brown, tan, or gray coloring. They often have striped or spotted markings on their bodies and long, thin legs. If a spider is frequently seen indoors and spins a web, it is likely a house spider.
What is the most common spider in the house?
The most common house spiders in the US include the American house spider, cellar spider (daddy longlegs), and wolf spider. The American house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum), known for its messy webs in corners, is one of the most frequently seen indoor spiders. Giant house spiders are a common species of spider in the Pacific Northwest region.
Should I let a house spider live?
House spiders help reduce insect populations, making them useful indoors. If they don’t bother you, they can be left alone. However, if spiders are infesting your home and becoming a nuisance, professional pest control can help keep your home safe from these pests.
What is the difference between a brown recluse and a house spider?
Brown recluses have a distinct violin-shaped marking on their back, while house spiders have more subtle patterns. Recluses prefer dark, hidden spaces where house spiders are common in visible areas, like ceilings and corners. Most important, brown recluse bites can be dangerous, while house spiders pose little risk.