What Are Some of the Most Common Spiders You Could See in Your Home?

There are many different kinds of spiders in the world, and while it may be scary to spot them in your home, most of them are harmless and even helpful at managing pests. Still, most homeowners want spiders to do their bug-eating jobs outside rather than indoors. After all, seeing any kind of pest, big or small, in your home can be an unwelcome sight.

If you’ve seen a spider in your home, how can you tell what type it is? Here are a few of the most common spiders you could see in your home:

• House Spider: House spiders are a yellowish-brown color with several dark stripes meeting at an angle on their off-white abdomens.
  • Size: They are usually between one-eighth of an inch and five-sixteenths of an inch long.
  • Where you may find them: These spiders make tangled webs near light fixtures, upper corners and windows, though they are also commonly found in garages and sheds where they won’t be as frequently disturbed. House spiders also tend to move from place to place in the home if their webs don’t capture any prey.
  • Do they bite?: House spiders are typically harmless to humans. They may bite in self-defense if threatened, but their bites are not usually medically threatening.
• Orb-weaver Spider: The orb-weaver spider has quite a distinctive look. Its most unique trait is the bright yellow stripe marking on its back.
  • Size: They can range in size from less than ¼ inch to over 1 inch in body length, depending on the species.
  • Where you may find them: These spiders typically make their nests outside near trees, tall grass, light poles, or in other places where there are plenty of structures to support a web and plenty of insect prey to trap. The orb-weaver spider is known for weaving very round webs. This spider is a peaceful creature that will often retreat into its web if encountered.
  • Do they bite?: It will not bite unless it’s being undeniably threatened, and even then, its bite is not dangerous to humans (it’s comparable to a bee sting).
• Daddy Long-Legs: Daddy long-legs are a distinctive type of spider known for their tiny, brown, oval-shaped abdomens and long, thin legs.
  • Size: They can vary in size depending on the species, but their bodies are typically between 0.02 to 0.9 inches long, with most species being between 0.12 and 0.28 inch. Their legs are usually several times longer than their bodies, and some species can have legs that are over 5.9 inches long.
  • Where you may find them: These spiders make their webs in dark, damp/humid places like cellars, basements, sheds, barns and warehouses. Unlike many spiders that clean, reuse or abandon their webs when they no longer serve their purpose, daddy long-legs spiders usually build onto their webs over time, which can lead to big messes of cobwebs if the spider does eventually abandon the web.
  • Do they bite?: A common myth claims that daddy long-legs have a poisonous bite, but their fangs can’t actually break human skin. These spiders are not known to bite humans, and the theory that they can transmit poison through a bite has not been scientifically proven to be true.

 

Getting Rid of Spiders

Usually, the best way to get rid of spiders (besides crushing them) is to vacuum the area or put them in a cup and put them back outside. However, preventative measures are also effective in making sure they don’t enter the home in the first place. These measures include:

• Sealing cracks around the home;
• Trimming back vegetation from the house;
• Repairing torn screening and fixing holes in doors or windows;
• Inspecting firewood before bringing it into the house;
• Using a dehumidifier in the home, as many spiders are attracted to moisture in the air.

At Alexandria Pest Services, We’re Here to Help!

At Alexandria Pest Services, our goal is to keep unwanted pests out of your home, and that includes keeping spiders at bay. We have professional treatments available to repel these pests and eradicate a potential spider infestation.

If you find that you are having a problem with spiders, bed bugs, termites, rodents, or other pests and need an exterminator in Springfield, Burke, Alexandria, or other parts of Northern Virginia, call Alexandria Pest Services at 703-923-0925 to schedule a professional evaluation. We can help you get rid of these invaders in your home or office! Contact us today to learn more.