Surveys have revealed that up to 75 percent of people are at least slightly scared of spiders, while some have full-blown phobias. Yet, in most parts of the world, house spiders aren’t just harmless but beneficial. Those little arachnids that have made their homes between your walls and ceilings or found a place in the corner of a cupboard help control pests and stop the spread of insect-borne diseases. Have you noticed more spiders making their webs in your home? You may want to identify the spider species in your house to determine if they are dangerous, or you may be curious. Here are some pointers that help you identify spiders in your home.
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:
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.
You can control spider problems near your home by:
- Sealing cracks and entry points
- Reducing clutter
- Vacuuming up spiders and their egg sacs
- Store firewood away from your house
Black Widow Spiders
Black widow spiders are instantly recognizable thanks to their red hourglass markings and are highly venomous.
Learn more: Black Widow Spiders
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.
Daddy Long Legs
These spiders have brown, smooth bodies and extraordinarily long legs (hence the name). Their oval-shaped bodies help in identifying them.
Daddy long-leg spiders are beneficial for spider control because they are known to eat other spiders. This includes dangerous spiders. These spiders don’t spin webs, are not known to bite, and are not toxic to humans.
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.
Preventing Spider Infestations
Are you spotting more spiders than usual? While spiders can be good to have around your home, these tips can help you prevent spider infestations in your home.
- Keep your house clean
- Keep your food sealed in air-tight containers, as food attracts spiders
- Seal cracks and gaps near doors and windows.
- Remove woodpiles and vegetation around your home.
- Mix natural oils (tea tree, eucalyptus, citrus, and peppermint oils) in a spray bottle with water to help repel spiders.
Additional Information: Common Spiders Around the Home
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