Spiders often find their way into homes, especially where they can easily track down food and shelter. Some are helpful at reducing other pests, while a few can pose real risks if disturbed. Knowing how to tell the difference helps you decide whether to calmly relocate a spider, keep an eye on an area, or call in a professional. This guide walks you through how to recognize common spiders by their appearance, web type, and hiding spots so you can better understand what you’re dealing with.
How to Identify Spiders in Your House
Take Note of the Spider’s Physical Features
A close look at a spider is the first step to identifying what species it belongs to. House spiders are usually more afraid of people than we are of them, so these little critters may get antsy if you get too close. Try to take a picture if you can.
Take note of the spiders:
- Size
- Body shape
- Colors and patterns on the body
- Visible hairs or lack thereof
- Spider web’s shape and size
- Where does the spider live? Is it in your home or yard, and where?
Google the Spider
You can use a handy physical spider identification guide if you have one. However, most people who try to identify house spiders and spiders in their yards will use the internet to try and figure out what kind of eight-legged critter they’re dealing with.
Remember that spiders live on all continents except Antarctica. You’ll have to narrow your search to get accurate results for your country or even a more specific region.
What to Search
Searches like “spider identification + [your area]” usually yield the best results. You can also try Googling the spider’s features. For example, “small gray spider in basement United States” may tell you the spider hiding in your basement is a common American house spider.
What Spiders Are Most Common in the United States?
The kinds of spiders that tend to make their home into your home — seemingly utterly oblivious to your presence — vary from region to region. In the United States, the most common house spiders include:
Common House Spiders in Nebraska Homes
Most spiders you see around your house are not aggressive and rarely bite. They’re usually more interested in catching insects than interacting with people.
American House Spiders
American house spiders are the size of a nickel and are gray or brown with white marks. They make messy webs and like to hide in corners and crawl spaces. Note: American house spiders are not dangerous to humans.
You don’t need to get rid of house spiders unless you have a house spider infestation. You can capture and release them.
Wolf Spiders
These large spiders may give you a fright. Wolf spiders are usually found in garages, sheds, or basements and may be black, gray, or brown. They look similar to grass spiders.
Wolf spiders are hairy and usually don’t spin webs. These spiders typically only bite if they feel the need to defend themselves. A wolf spider bite can cause a nasty rash and some uncomfortable symptoms.
Cellar Spider / Daddy Long Legs
Cellar spiders, often called “daddy long legs,” have very small bodies and extremely long, thin legs. They commonly hang upside down in loose webs in basements, crawl spaces, and ceiling corners. These spiders look fragile and are not considered dangerous to people. They’re often considered beneficial because they help capture other insects and spiders.
Dangerous Spiders to Watch For
While most spiders you see are harmless, there are a couple of species that deserve extra attention and care.
Black Widow Spiders
Black widow spiders are instantly recognizable thanks to their red hourglass markings and are highly venomous. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as under outdoor furniture, in garages, sheds, woodpiles, and around foundations. Their webs are irregular and tangled. Black widow bites can cause significant pain and other symptoms and should be treated seriously. If you suspect black widows on your property, it’s best not to handle them and to contact a professional pest control company.
Brown Recluse Spiders
Brown recluse spiders have violin-shaped markings on their heads. They have black bodies and long, sprawling, brown legs that are also quite thick. Although these spiders are venomous, brown recluses aren’t aggressive.
Spider Identification In Your Home
While some spiders are extremely common, making it more likely they live in your home, spider identification can be an exciting and intense journey. Keep your efforts up, and you’ll discover what that spider is — which helps you accept its presence. If, on the other hand, you think you’ve identified a dangerous spider, calling a pest control company is the logical next step.
Additional Information: Common Spiders Around the Home
How to Safely Observe and Identify a Spider
You don’t have to get dangerously close to identify a spider. If you need a better look, use these precautions:
- Avoid touching the spider with bare hands.
- Use a clear glass or jar and a stiff piece of paper to gently trap and contain the spider if you feel safe doing so.
- Wear gloves if you’re working in cluttered or high-risk areas, like garages, sheds, or storage rooms.
- Take a photo with good lighting and a simple background so you can compare it with reputable identification resources or show it to a professional.
If you’re uncertain or uncomfortable getting close enough to see details, it’s perfectly reasonable to leave the spider alone and have a pest control technician identify it during an inspection.
Hire a Professional Company ABC Termite & Pest Control – Pest Control Omaha, NE & Lincoln, NE
If you’re unsure what kind of spider you’re seeing, or you simply don’t want to deal with them on your own, ABC Termite & Pest Control is ready to help. Our local technicians serve homes throughout the Omaha and Lincoln areas and know which spiders are common in Nebraska and how to tell harmless visitors from potentially dangerous species.
We’ll inspect your home, identify what you’re dealing with, check for the insect activity that may be attracting spiders, and create a treatment and prevention plan tailored to your space.
Whether you’ve spotted a single suspicious spider or you’re seeing them regularly, for professional pest control services that give you peace of mind and a more comfortable, spider-controlled home.
Find a reputable pest control company in Omaha or Lincoln that you TRUST and ask about their termite inspection and pest management services. You may think you are saving money however, a single misapplication could have significant and adverse or deadly consequences for you or your loved ones. Contact ABC Termite & Pest Control in Omaha & Lincoln, NE to talk with an exterminator today!
