If you’ve got a fear of spiders, look away now! This article delves into the variety of common house spiders that may be lurking in your home. From the brown recluse to the quick-moving wolf spider, learn about these 17 fascinating yet often misunderstood creatures.
American House Spider
The American house spider is small with a brown or tan body and chevron markings on the abdomen. It’s found throughout the United States, often in corners of rooms and windows, and creates tangled cobwebs. Thankfully, it’s generally harmless to humans.
Black Widow Spider
You’ll be able to recognize a black widow spider by its shiny black body with a distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside. It prefers dark, undisturbed areas like basements and woodpiles and is venomous, with bites that require medical attention.
Brown Widow Spider
According to the Center for Invasive Species Research, “Brown widows are now known from Texas to Georgia and South Carolina,” so be on the lookout if you live in any of these places. They have light brown to dark brown bodies with an orange hourglass marking and are typically found in dark corners of garages and basements.
Brown Recluse Spider
Light brown with a distinctive violin-shaped marking on the back, brown recluse spiders are common in the midwest and southern United States. Unfortunately, they’re venomous and known for their necrotic bites, which require medical treatment. Keep your eyes peeled!
Hobo Spider
Hobo spiders have brown bodies with a pattern of darker stripes. They’re predominantly found in the northwest U.S. in holes and cracks and are non-aggressive. On the off chance that you do get bitten, you can relax, as their bites are generally harmless.
Cellar Spider
The cellar spider has a small body with long, thin legs. Much like other creepy crawlies, it prefers damp locations like basements and cellars. Oddly, it’s known for vibrating rapidly in its web when disturbed—a key giveaway for what type of spider it is.
Wolf Spider
If you weren’t already freaked out, you will be when you learn that the wolf spider “chases down its prey and leaps on it, just like a wolf,” as per The Wildlife Trusts. This spider is large, hairy, and has a robust body and camouflage markings. It’s found on the ground, often in gardens and homes.
Jumping Spider
Compact, furry, and with distinctive markings, the jumping spider can be found on walls and windowsills, particularly where insects are prevalent. It has very good eyesight, is active during the day, and is known for its quick, accurate jumping to catch prey.
Orb Weaver Spider
Orb weaver spiders come in varied colors, often with a large, round abdomen. They’re commonly found making circular webs in gardens and near light sources. Thankfully, they’re non-aggressive and are actually beneficial for controlling insect populations. Think of that next time you spot one!
Grass Spider
You can spot a grass spider by its brown or gray body with a stripe down its back. It builds funnel-shaped webs and is often found in grassy areas, building webs close to the ground. This type of spider is quick to retreat to the funnel of its web when disturbed.
Crab Spider
Crab spiders are small, often brightly colored, and have two front legs that are larger than the others. Creepily, “They do not spin a web but instead wait in hiding for prey,” as shared by Britannica. They’re often found on flowers but can be spotted indoors.
Funnel Weaver Spider
Similar in appearance and behavior to grass spiders, funnel weaver spiders have a patterned body and quick movements. They build large, flat, funnel-shaped webs in grass or on the ground and tend to retreat into the funnel part of the web when threatened.
Woodlouse Spider
Woodlouse spiders have reddish heads and gray abdomens with robust bodies. They can be found in damp areas under rocks and logs outdoors, in basements, or under floorboards in homes. They specifically prey on woodlice and are not known to be harmful to humans.
Daddy Long-legs
Daddy long-leg spiders have very long, thin legs with small bodies. They’re very common in cluttered and undisturbed parts of homes, like basements or attics, and are totally harmless to humans. These spiders are known for their messy, irregular webs.
Domestic House Spider
Dark or orange-brown, domestic house spiders have a pale mark on the breastplate. The Natural History Museum says, “They frequently enter homes through open windows, chimneys, or gaps beneath doors.” So, you’ve likely come across one in your house, shed, or garage.
Joro Spider
Joro spiders are large with brightly colored distinctive yellow, red, and black patterns. They were recently spotted in the southeastern U.S., particularly around homes with gardens. These spiders build large, orb-like webs and are known for their vibrant, colorful appearance.
Fishing Spider
While commonly spotted near water bodies, they can also be found in damp areas of homes. They’re known for their ability to “walk on water” and hunt aquatic and terrestrial prey. What do they look like? They’re large, dark brown with pale markings, and equipped with water-repellent hairs.