Common House Spider
Parasteatoda tepidariorum
Scientific illustration for identification purposes
Overview
Common house spiders are the cobweb spiders found in corners, closets, and basements throughout homes. They are harmless and help control flies and other household insects. Their messy webs are often considered unsightly.
How to Identify
- Small to medium size - 1/4 to 3/8 inch
- Brownish color with chevron markings
- Rounded abdomen
- Build tangled cobwebs
- Often found in corners
Behavior
House spiders build tangled cobwebs and wait for prey. If webs do not catch prey, they abandon them and build new ones elsewhere. They are not aggressive.
Habitat
Found in corners, closets, basements, attics, garages, and other undisturbed areas with insect prey.
Diet
Capture flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects in their webs.
Reproduction
Females produce multiple brownish egg sacs in their webs. Spiderlings disperse after hatching.
Distribution in the Southern U.S.
Extremely common throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Mississippi in all types of buildings.
Regional Notes
House spiders are found in virtually every home in the South. They are beneficial but their webs can be unsightly.
Signs of Infestation
- Cobwebs in corners and undisturbed areas
- Small brown spiders in webs
- Multiple webs in basements or attics
- Abandoned webs (dust-covered)
- Egg sacs in webs
Prevention Tips
- Vacuum or sweep webs regularly
- Reduce clutter in storage areas
- Seal gaps around windows and doors
- Control insect populations (their prey)
- Reduce humidity in damp areas
- Regular cleaning of undisturbed areas
When to Contact a Professional
Professional treatment is usually not needed for house spiders. Contact a professional for comprehensive pest control if spider populations are excessive or if you want to identify spider species.
Romex Pest Control provides professional common house spider control services across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Learn about our common house spider control servicesFrequently Asked Questions
Are house spiders harmful?
Common house spiders are harmless to humans. They rarely bite and their venom is not medically significant. They are beneficial because they capture flies and other household pests.
Why are there so many cobwebs?
House spiders abandon webs that do not catch prey and build new ones. Old webs collect dust and become more visible. Regular cleaning removes webs, but spiders will rebuild.
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