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How Common Are Common House Spiders?

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Common house spiders are often mistaken for the black widow spider. They are smaller, have a different shaped head, and generally have a different color scheme. However, they both belong to the same genus and species of spider, and can both be dangerous if provoked. There are about 43 known species of common house spider in the United States.

What are the kinds of house spiders?

There are many different types of house spiders, but the two broad categories are the – non-poisonous common house spiders and the poisonous common house spiders.

How Common Are Common House Spiders

These two vary from each other on an obvious ground, which we will learn about in-depth in the following sections.

How Common are Common house spiders?

Common house spiders are found throughout the United States and Canada. They can be seen in many different environments, but they are most commonly located in undisturbed places such as behind furniture or attics, basements, or storage rooms.

The American house spider is amongst the most common types of spiders in North America. They are typically found in closets, under furniture, and in barns and basements. They are not considered dangerous to humans, but they can bite if provoked.

The jumping spider is another common house spider. It comes in many different colors and sizes, but it is typically dark brown or black.

Then there is the yellow sac spider which is also amongst the most common spiders found in and around homes.

It is a pale yellow to beige in color, with two front legs that are longer than the others. This spider can commonly be found along baseboards, behind picture frames, around spaces where ceilings meet walls (known as an “entrance web”), and near water sources (such as lakes).

The hobo spider is a common house spider that is found throughout North America. It has a dark orange/brown body with a light stripe on its sternum. The hobo spider builds a distinctive funnel-shaped web that it uses to trap small prey such as insects.

In a short common house, spiders are more common than you would have thought. Let us now learn about each of them in detail.

Non-Poisonous Common House Spiders

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There are two categorizations of common house spiders, one of which is the non-poisonous kind. This species is not as dangerous as the other kind unless one has allergies to spiders.

Common House Spider

The common house spider is found all over North America. They are typically brown or gray in color and have a body length of about 1/2 inch. They build their webs in the dark, secluded areas such as closets, basements, and garages.

You will find their dirty cobwebs in corners, and be mindful that they are not afraid of you vacuuming them up or sweeping them down. While they may seem scary, they are usually harmless and will not bite humans.

When they are done with their webs, they will often abandon them, leaving them to collect dust.

Harvestmen

Harvestmen, also known as daddy longlegs, are, in a way, not spiders. They are a distant relative of the spider and have different body structures and ways of life.

This species has eight legs, while spiders have six. Harvestmen do not build webs to catch prey and instead scavenge for food.

Many types of spiders can be found in homes, and it can often be difficult to determine which type you are dealing with. As in this case, Cellar spiders and harvestmen look quite similar,

One way to tell the difference between cellar spiders and harvestmen is by looking at their body shape. Cellar spiders have a more elongated body, while harvestmen have a rounder body.

Unlike cellar spiders, harvestmen have two body segments and eight spindly legs. They are not harmful to humans and usually go unnoticed.

Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders are common in the United States and parts of Canada. They are often found in homes and gardens. They get their name from their habit of jumping on their prey.

They are part of the family Salticidae and can be mistaken for black widows. They get their name from their habit of jumping onto their prey instead of walking.

This species of common house spider is not dangerous to humans. In fact, they can be beneficial as they eat other pests. They are typically brown or black with white markings on their backs.

Funnel Weavers

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Funnel weavers are a type of spider that is found in North America and Europe. They are part of the Agelenidae family and get their name from the fact that they build funnel-shaped webs.

Funnel weavers are harmless to humans and typically only bite if they feel threatened.

This pest species build webs in a variety of places, including windows and doorways.

Poisonous Common House Spiders

The other category of spiders comprises spiders that can be poisonous. Of the various spiders that fall within this category, black widow spider and brown recluse spiders are the most common in households as compared to the others on the list.

Black widow

Black widow spiders are typically found around woodpiles and other undisturbed areas. They are shy spiders that will often hide in dark, secluded corners.

It is identified by its shiny, black body and the red hourglass shape on its abdomen. This spider is venomous, and its bite can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, increased blood pressure, sweating and nausea.

Female black widows are notorious for being especially aggressive when their webs are disturbed. They can be harmful to humans, so it is important to be aware of their presence and take precautions if you happen to encounter one.

Brown recluse

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Brown Recluse spiders are typically found outdoors in woodpiles and debris and indoors in closets, attics, and crawlspaces.

They are one of the most common house spiders, but their bites can be quite dangerous.

These spiders are not usually dangerous to humans and will only bite if they feel threatened. However, it is pertinent to note that these bites are poisonous in nature.

They are known for their venomous bite, which can cause a variety of symptoms, including a burning sensation at the site of the bite, restlessness, fever, and difficulty sleeping.

While their bites don’t always amount to fatality, they can be very painful and cause serious health complications if not treated properly.

Sac Spiders

Sac spiders are amongst the most common types of spiders found in homes. They are normally found inside or outside homes, and they build sac-like webs where they rest.

They get their name from the sac-like webbing they use to construct tent-like coverings in low corners. They are generally considered harmless to humans, but their bites can be painful as they contain poison in them.

They are typically light brown or gray and have a violin-shaped marking on their heads.

They vary drastically in coloring and can be confused with other spiders, such as the brown recluse spider. They are typically not aggressive and will only bite if they feel threatened. However, keep in mind that they are very much poisonous.

Widow Spiders

Although widow spiders are not one of the most common types of house spiders, they can be a concern for people. These spiders are venomous, and their bites can be dangerous.

It is important to be able to identify widow spiders so that you can take precautions if you see them in your home.

Widow spiders have a distinct reddish-orange hourglass shape on their underside. There are both brown widows and black widows, with the latter being more dangerous.

Widow spiders are a type of spider that is known for its venom, which can be deadly if bitten. There are several different types of widow spiders, all of which have black coloring. Widow spiders are found all over the world, and their bites can cause serious health problems.

Removing Common House Spiders

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House spiders are a common sight in many homes. While they are generally harmless, they can be a nuisance if they build their webs in areas where people frequent.

If you find yourself with a house spider problem, there are various ways to remove them.

There are many ways to control them, including using pesticides, removing their webs, and using exclusion methods.

If you are dealing with an infestation of common house spiders, there are a few things you can do:

– Try to remove them yourself by vacuuming them up or using a broom to sweep them away.

– Call your local IPM specialist for help. They will be able to identify the species of spider and help you remove them safely and effectively.

Summary

Now that you know how common these common house spiders are and how dangerous some of them can be, you will be able to tackle them better.

About the author

A biotechnologist by profession and a passionate pest researcher. I have been one of those people who used to run away from cockroaches and rats due to their pesky features, but then we all get that turn in life when we have to face something.