Grayson West
No one loves the sight of a spider skittering across the floor, but not all of them are dangerous. However, some species require a little extra caution. Experts recommend familiarizing yourself with these common house spiders so you know which ones to leave alone—and which ones to avoid.
Common House Spider
This tan or grayish spider is often mistaken for the more dangerous Brown Recluse. Although they love to spin webs in corners, they are usually harmless. However, their webs can be a nuisance and make you want to tidy your space.
Black Widow
Notorious for its glossy black body and red hourglass markings, the Black Widow prefers to stay hidden. While its bite can cause severe symptoms, it’s best to leave it alone or call a pest professional if you spot one—better safe than sorry.
Brown Recluse
This eight-legged terror is identifiable by its violin-shaped mark on its back. Although it’s shy and prefers to hide, its bite can lead to severe skin reactions and pain. If you find one in your home, avoid direct contact and call a pest professional for help.
Jumping Spider
Known for its large, expressive eyes and energetic behavior, this spider is harmless to humans. They can leap several times their body length and help control pests, making them a beneficial addition to your home; just don’t be alarmed when they bounce around.
Parson Spider
The Herpyllus ecclesiasticus is a tiny, fast-moving spider often found in homes. Recognizable by its dark brown or black coloration and distinctive markings, this spider tends to hide in crevices and corners. Although its bite can be painful, it is generally harmless.
Wolf Spider
This spider is a skilled hunter who lacks a web and actively chases down prey. Though their bite can be painful, they’re not harmful to humans. If you spot one, consider letting it be a natural exterminator of the truly harmful bugs.
Yellow Sac Spider
Pale yellow, the spider often hides in corners of your home. While it can deliver a painful bite, it’s generally more scared of you than you are of it. In case its presence still bothers you,you can gently relocate it outside to be absolutely safe.
Cellar Spider
Cellar spiders have small bodies with long, thin legs and are often found in damp, dark areas like basements and garages. They spin loose webs to catch other pests, which makes them beneficial for controlling unwanted insects.
Garden Spider
These Spiders generally prefer to be outside. In some cases though, they have been known to venture indoor too. They are recognizable by their colorful patterns and prey on garden pests. Notably, they’re usually harmless and help keep your space insect-free.
Brown Widow
This arachnid copycat may resemble the feared Black Widow spider, but the two have subtle differences. Namely, the lighter coloring and an orange hourglass marking. More importantly, their bites are nowhere near as potent as their famous cousins.
House Spider
This spider has a small, round body and long legs and is often seen nesting in a corner of the living room. It weaves webs in corners and around windows, usually catching pesky flies. Mostly harmless, House Spiders help keep your space clean.
Hobo Spider
Due to their resemblance, Hobos are frequently confused with Brown Recluse spiders. However, they have distinctive light brown bodies. You should err on the side of caution and stay away from this “homeless” soul since its bite can cause irritation.
Fishing Spider
Fishing spiders belong to the genus Dolomedes in the family Pisauridae. They are notable for their large size and unique hunting behaviors. While their sizable appearance might be intimidating, these spiders are generally harmless to humans.
Velvet Spider
Menacing as it looks, this spider is no danger to you unless you provoke it, which is a terrible idea as the Velvet Spider’s bite can be excruciatingly painful! If you ever come across this relatively large and velvety spider, staying a safe distance away is best.
Tangle-Web Spider
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when we first learn to…weave,” is probably this spider’s life mantra. Their irregular and messy webs remain unnoticed in your home’s crevices until they gather enough dust to become visible. The bites are not particularly harmful to humans, either.