Even if they make you shudder, spiders are helpful creatures in our homes, eating smaller pests. They play an important role in nature’s balance. There are a lot of different spider species out there, each with their unique traits. Most house spiders, despite their often intimidating appearance, pose minor threat to us. These are the eight-legged housemates most commonly found in houses.
American House Spider
With its round body and muted brown color, you’re likely to find this spider twirling webs in the corners of your room. They’re small, with a mottled brown-grey body, often mistaken for the more dangerous brown recluse. These house spiders aren’t aggressive, and they avoid human interaction, posing little to no harm. You can find their web on windows, ceiling corners, and under furniture.
Cellar Spider
Also known as Daddy Long Legs, you can easily identify them by their slender body and extremely long, thin legs. These spiders are simply seeking shelter, favoring dark, damp places like basem*nts and cellars, hence the name. They’re mainly harmless to humans. Their defensive mechanism usually consists of vibrating their web rather than biting.
Jumping Spider
Jumping spiders are unique, with very large eyes and small stout bodies. They have quick jumping skills, and you’ll usually see them during the day, doing their job hunting down bothersome bugs. While their sudden leaps might give you a little shock, they’re harmless to humans. If you do come across one, it’s best to just let it be. It’s doing its part in keeping your home free from other unwanted insects.
Yellow Sac Spider
Petite and mostly pale in color, you will find the yellow sac spider in the corners of homes, building silken ‘sacs’ for rest. These are typically peaceful creatures unless provoked. They generally hide during the day and are out hunting during the night. They have a weak venom, and a bite can be mildly painful, so it’s best to avoid them.
Wolf Spider
The wolf spider is large and hairy, and sports a diverse range of hues and sizes. Instead of spinning webs, they’re on-the-go hunters often spotted in garages, basem*nts, and window wells. Their size and speed can give quite a scare if encountered unexpectedly.
Black Widow Spider
You can easily recognize a black widow spider by its shiny black body, with a distinctive red hourglass-shaped marking on its underbelly. They love to hang out in hollow stumps and woodpiles. Although venomous, they typically bite humans only in self-defense. Its bite can be harmful but is rarely fatal. If you encounter one, then leave it be and call pest control!
Brown Widow Spider
With their mottled brown and black bodies and an hourglass-shaped marking underneath, Brown Widow Spiders are hard to miss. They usually hide in protected, secluded areas around the house, such as under furniture or wood piles. Although they are less venomous than their Black Widow counterparts, their bites can still trigger painful reactions.
Parson Spider
You can spot a parson spider by their sleek black body and grey abdomen. They enjoy dry habitats and may wander indoors, often found lurking in piles of laundry or garments. Despite their intimidating look, they’re mostly harmless to humans. However, they can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Fishing Spider
Fishing spiders, often found near water bodies, resemble Wolf Spiders and are mainly harmless to humans. These spiders enter homes through small cracks or broken screen doors. So keeping your home sealed from such entrances is essential to prevent an accidental spider invasion.
Brown Recluse Spider
The violin-shaped mark on its back usually identifies the Brown Recluse Spider. Usually hiding away in undisturbed areas such as attics or closets, this spider is not aggressive, but its bite can be painful and potentially dangerous, causing chills, fever, and severe necrotic skin lesions that require medical care. In case of an encounter, it’s best to stay clear and contact a pest control professional.
Desert Recluse Spider
The Desert Recluse Spider has a faded appearance, with six eyes grouped together. They love dry and warm desert areas, and you’ll find them hiding in secluded spots. While not overly aggressive, they are indeed venomous. Their bites can cause significant skin wounds. If spotted, it’s best to let professionals handle the removal process.
Grass Spider
Grass spiders are quick movers with lighter legs and darker bodies. Aptly named, they mostly inhabit grassy, low vegetation areas. They pose no threat to humans, but their speed can be startling.
Hobo Spider
Hobo Spiders have a brown hue and distinctive herringbone pattern. You can find them in the Pacific Northwest, typically near man-made structures. While their venom is harmful to insects, it’s not harmful to humans.
Orb Weaver Spider
Orb Weaver Spiders are colorful, featuring vibrant patterns. They reside in gardens, taking inspiration from their name, and constructing circular webs. They are harmless to humans and helpful in controlling the insect population. If you spot one, it’s better to leave it alone since it’s not dangerous.
15 Animals That Are Resistant to Venom
15 Animals That Are Resistant to Venom
Share on:
About the Author
Jacqueline Robinson
Meet Jacqueline, a seasoned writer at Animaloverse who has spent over a decade exploring the fascinating world of animals. Her love for animals, which also fuels her writing, is drawn from her personal experiences with all kinds of pets. The animal kingdom continues to ignite her curiosity as she discovers new insights every day. She also finds joy and personal growth through sports. In winter, she enjoys skiing, embracing the thrill of invigorating cold weather activities. When summer arrives, she sets out on hiking trails, exploring the beauty of nature. Among all her passions, her dog Bailey holds a special place in her heart as together, they go on exciting adventures. The happiness she experiences with Bailey often serves as inspiration for her writing.
