Spiders have a bad reputation, but the truth is that not only are many spiders completely harmless, they can actually help the environment. That being said, most people don’t want spiders inside their homes. Knowledge of the most common indoor spiders can help you know how to respond.
Cellar Spiders
Cellar spiders, as you might suspect, live in dark locations such as crawl spaces, basements, and cellars. They do build webs and are generally quite small. The body of a cellar spider is about ¼ inch long and they are usually gray or tan. They have long thin legs, like a daddy long legs spider. They eat bugs in your basement, catching them in their web. They are harmless to humans and relatively easy to get rid of. Use a broom to sweep up the web and keep your home free from other insects. Spiders build webs where they think they can catch food.
Jumping Spiders
Jumping spiders are medium sized spiders and they are quite capable of jumping. They do so when they are hunting prey. They are active spiders and you will often find them up high on windows, ceilings, or walls that receive direct sunlight. They are attracted to the sun. Jumping spiders can be up to a ½ inch long and are usually dark with white or light markings. Although they can bite humans, they usually would rather run than stay and fight.
Common House Spider
House spiders like to live in basements, and spin loose collections of webs that result in cobwebs. This spider is also unlikely to bite humans, but will if threatened. The body is about ¼ inch long and is usually gray or tan with chevron markings. The legs are generally longer than the body, and are often striped.
Most spiders that you find in your home prefer to live in quiet areas where they won’t be disturbed. A few spiders are usually not anything to worry about. Get rid of the web, sweep up the nearby dead bugs and keep your eyes open for new webs. However, if you notice that you have a chronic spider problem or that you have more than a few, it makes sense to call in an expert familiar with common indoor spiders.
