Common House Spiders You May Notice During Winter

While certain pests become less common during the winter periods, spiders are not part of this group. Spiders are active and common throughout the year, particularly “house spiders” that are commonly found in homes looking for shelter or places to build their webs.

At Bug Busters, spiders are just one of many pest types we’re proud to help protect you and your family from at any point in the year with our comprehensive pest control and exterminator services. What are some of the most common spider types that may attempt to enter your home this winter, and how can you identify them if this happens? Here’s a basic primer on the four most common house spiders you’re liable to run into this cold season.

Daddy Long Legs

One of the most well-known house spiders is the daddy long legs, which is notable for its legs that are typically five to six times the length of its actual body. These are not venomous spiders, despite some myths you may have heard, and they try to avoid human contact whenever possible.

To prevent daddy long legs spiders, the best method is to prevent improper moisture from being present inside or directly outside your home – these spiders are attracted to moisture sources. They also congregate around trash, debris or wood areas near the home, so keep such buildups in order.

American House Spider

The American house spider is common all over the world, despite its name, and prefers dark spaces like basements, garages and others. They are identifiable by their bulbous figure, plus black or white spots and lines on their bodies and legs. They create large, obvious cobwebs that are hard to miss.

American house spiders are not venomous, but they will bite if threatened. To prevent them, limit potential dark hiding spaces and clean such areas regularly.

Brown Recluse

Brown recluses, recognizable by their brown color and what looks like a violin on their backs, are venomous but also extremely shy and hard to find. They prefer dry, empty areas where they can be protected, and will only bite in extreme threat situations. If you see even one brown recluse, call our team about extermination.

Wolf Spider

One of the biggest possible house spiders you may notice this winter is the wolf spider, which is usually brown with a black or grey coating. They have four small eyes on a bottom row, then two bigger eyes above and the largest eyes on top of their heads.

Wolf spiders are often found near door and window spaces, and while they do have venom in their bite, it’s not dangerous to humans. One major prevention method involves filling cracks or gaps in your windows and doorways.

For more on the kinds of common house spiders you might notice this winter, or to learn about any of our exterminator services, speak to the staff at Bug Busters today.