House Spider Facts & Identification

Spiders

Color: Species dependent

Characteristics: Spiders are predatory species that feed on other insects. Spiders have two body parts, a cephalothorax and an abdomen. Spiders also have eight legs. Most have eight eyes but some have fewer or even none. Spiders lack chewing mouthparts and use their digestive juices to liquefy their prey before consuming it. Spiders are generally shy and elusive. When they make their way inside of homes, they will hide in dark, secluded areas like closets, basements, attics, corners of rooms, and underneath furniture.

Size: Species dependent

Potentially Dangerous: Yes

HOUSE SPIDERS IN WISCONSIN

House spiders are a common sight in homes across Wisconsin, with their distinctive webs appearing in the corners of rooms, basements, attics, and garages. While their presence might make many people uncomfortable—thanks to a condition known as arachnophobia—it’s important to remember that most house spiders pose little threat to humans. In fact, they can be beneficial by controlling populations of other pests like insects and earwigs. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at common house spiders, how to identify them, their habits, and most importantly, how to deal with a house spider infestation.

Wisconsin is home to a wide variety of spiders, many of which are harmless. While some are outdoor dwellers, others prefer the indoors, seeking the warmth and shelter of homes. Among the most common spiders in Wisconsin are the American house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum), cellar spiders, and the domestic house spider (Tegenaria domestica). You may also encounter more notorious species like the black widow and brown recluse on rare occasions, but they are not commonly found inside homes.

WHAT DO HOUSE SPIDERS LOOK LIKE?

The appearance of house spiders can vary significantly depending on the species. The American house spider, for instance, is small, typically measuring between 1/8” to 3/8” in body length. It has a yellowish-brown color with darker spots on its abdomen. Its cephalothorax—the section that combines its head and thorax—often appears a shade darker than its abdomen.

Domestic house spiders are relatively small, with a body length of less than 1/2”. They are usually brown with lighter markings on the thorax and abdomen. These spiders are fast movers and are commonly mistaken for the hobo spider or funnel-web spiders due to their long legs and preference for building silken webs in corners or sheltered places.

Meanwhile, cellar spiders—often referred to as “daddy longlegs”—have elongated bodies and very long, thin legs. Their webs are typically loose and messy, and they prefer darker, damp areas like basements or crawlspaces.

SIGNS OF A HOUSE SPIDER INFESTATION

Identifying a spider infestation in your home is relatively straightforward. Aside from the obvious sign of regularly seeing spiders around your home, you should look out for webs and egg sacs (small, white, silken sacs containing hundreds of eggs). Also, as spiders prey on insects, a large population of other pests like mosquitoes, moths, or earwigs, could well attract more spiders.

HABITAT, DIET, LIFE CYCLE & BEHAVIOURS

To better understand house spiders and manage infestations, it’s important to learn about their habitat, diet, life cycle, and behaviors.

WHERE DO HOUSE SPIDERS LIVE?

House spiders tend to live in quiet, undisturbed areas of the home. Common locations include basements, attics, crawlspaces, and garages. Some spiders prefer to hide under furniture, in the corners of rooms, or near windows and doors. Cellar spiders, true to their name, are frequently found in basements or damp areas like crawlspaces.

Outdoors, spiders often build webs around eaves, window frames, and in gardens. They may also make their way into homes through cracks and gaps in the walls or foundation. Spiders often settle in areas where they are likely to find an abundance of prey, such as near light sources that attract flying insects.

DIET

House spiders are arachnids, and like all spiders, they are carnivorous. They primarily feed on insects and other small arthropods, which they capture using their webs. Their diet includes flies, mosquitoes, moths, earwigs, and other nuisance insects. By preying on these pests, house spiders can actually help reduce populations of unwanted insects in your home.

LIFE CYCLE

The life cycle of a house spider includes four stages: egg, spiderling, juvenile, and adult. Female spiders lay egg sacs in secluded areas, which can contain hundreds of spider eggs. After about two weeks, the eggs hatch into spiderlings, which are tiny versions of adult spiders. These spiderlings eventually leave the egg sac and begin building their own webs.

House spiders can live for several years, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Some spiders, like the American house spider, are known to live for up to a year, while others like the cellar spider can live for several years under the right conditions.

BEHAVIORS

House spiders are typically non-aggressive and reclusive. They tend to avoid human contact and prefer to stay hidden in undisturbed areas. However, if their webs are destroyed or disturbed, they may relocate to another area of the home. Unlike wolf spiders or funnel-web spiders, most common house spiders are passive hunters, relying on their webs to capture prey.

ARE HOUSE SPIDERS DANGEROUS?

While house spiders can be alarming to see, most species are not dangerous to humans. The bites of common house spiders are typically harmless, resulting in only mild irritation or redness. However, some species, such as the black widow and brown recluse, have venom that can cause more severe reactions. These spiders are less common in Wisconsin homes, but they should be treated with caution if encountered.

The black widow spider is identifiable by its shiny black body and distinctive red hourglass marking on its abdomen. The brown recluse is brown with a violin-shaped marking on its back. If bitten by either of these spiders, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, as their bites can cause more serious symptoms, especially in children or the elderly.

HOW TO GET RID OF HOUSE SPIDERS

You can help to control spider populations by keeping shrubs and bushes trimmed away from the siding or exterior of the property as well as sealing any holes or cracks around doors, windows and basements. Regularly cleaning and vacuuming your home can help eliminate spiders and their webs. Pay special attention to corners, ceilings, and hidden areas where spiders tend to build webs.

You can also work to reduce insect populations, spiders’ preferred diet. Reducing the number of insects in your home by keeping it clean, using traps, and employing other pest control methods can discourage spiders from settling in

Contacting Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control is the most effective way to ensure your property is kept free of spiders.  If you are going away to your cabin for the weekend, Terminix Wil-Kil will take care of any spiders, spider webs in the cabin or on the dock so you can enjoy your trip spider free.

HOUSE SPIDER PREVENTION TIPS

Follow these tips to reduce the chance of house spiders entering your home:

• Keep your home clean: Regular cleaning removes spider webs and potential hiding spots.
• Store food properly: Food attracts insects, which in turn attract spiders. Keep food sealed in airtight containers.
• Use screens on windows and doors: Prevent spiders from entering by ensuring that screens are in good condition and fit tightly.
• Remove clutter: Spiders love to hide in cluttered areas, so keeping your home organized can help.
• Turn off outdoor lights: Lights attract insects, which draw spiders. Turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting at night.

Need Help with Spider Removal in Your Wisconsin Home?

Spiders are difficult to prevent, given their ability to enter the home in a number of different ways.  If spiders have infested your property in Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Green Bay, or elsewhere in Wisconsin and the surrounding areas, contact Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control as soon as you spot them to prevent a larger spider problem.

Professional spider pest control services can provide a comprehensive solution, ensuring that spiders and their prey are eliminated from your home. Whether you’re concerned about common house spiders, black widows, or other spiders, Terminix Wil-Kil will help you regain peace of mind.