House Spiders

While there are a lot of spiders throughout the world, only a handful of spider species intentionally dwell inside houses. Other spiders either stray inside by accident or are carried into homes on items like flowers or firewood. Familiar places where one may notice spiders include attics, basements, bathrooms, and other dark corners of one’s house.

Despite their creepy appearance, spiders act as effective pest control, eating insects and mites. Some are dangerous, with venom that gets injected via a bite. Still, most will avoid human contact and flee if encountered.

Common Spiders: American House Spider, Long-bodied Cellar Spider

Biggest Spiders: Dark Fishing Spider

Most Dangerous Spiders: Brown Recluse Spider, Western Black Widow Spider

Most Venomous

Sicariidae

• Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles reclusa)

Funnel-weaver Spiders

• Hobo Spider (Eratigena agrestis)

Sac Spiders

• Black-footed Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium inclusum)
• Long-legged Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium mildei)

Comb-footed Spiders

• Western Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus hesperus)

Intertidal Spiders

• Black House Spider (Badumna insignis)

Less Venomous

Comb-footed Spiders

• American House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
• False Black Widow Spider (Steatoda grossa)
• Red House Spider (Nesticodes rufipes)

Cellar Spiders

• Long-bodied Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)
• Short-bodied Cellar Spider (Physocyclus globosus)

Jumping Spiders

• Zebra Jumping Spider (Salticus scenicus)

Wolf Spiders

• Carolina Wolf Spider (Hogna carolinensis)
• Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida)

Fishing Spiders

• Dark Fishing Spider (Dolomedes tenebrosus)

Crevice Weaver Spiders

• Southern House Spider (Kukulcania hibernalis)