House Spiders

While there is a spider named the Common House Spider, often the term is used to reference not an actual species, but a number of different spiders that can be commonly found inside homes.

When used as a general description, what the term "house spider" refers to varies by location, as it's simply a grouping of spiders commonly found in homes. House spiders in Hawaii will be different from house spiders in Virginia. Find out about some of our common house spiders here in Central Virginia.

What Are Virginia's Common House Spiders?

Are House Spiders Dangerous?

How Can I Keep House Spiders Out Of My House?

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What Are Virginia's Common House Spiders?

First, the spider that is actually named the Common House Spider (also referred to as the American House Spider) is indeed very commonly found in houses in Virginia. They are what you'd think of as a "typical" spider: long legs, bulbous abdomen, brown with some white and black markings. These spiders are also responsible for cobwebs- the messy tangled webs usually found in corners and attics.

Other spiders that can be found in homes throughout our area are the black widow, jumping spiders, wolf spiders, and (less commonly) the brown recluse; all of which we've already covered in other blogs.

In addition, it's common to find Yellow Sac Spiders (which are yellow or beige with round abdomens) and Cellar Spiders (brown spiders often called "daddy longlegs" due to their spindly legs).

Are House Spiders Dangerous?

Are house spiders dangerous? That's kind of like asking if cats are dangerous -- most of the time, no. But there are species, such as lions, that you would not want to be around. Same with house spiders. Most of the house spiders we encounter in Virginia are not going to hurt you, but there are some that are classified as of "medical concern". These spiders are the black widow and the brown recluse. The other common house spiders you're likely to encounter generally have mild bites with minimal side effects, not posing a medical danger to most people or pets.

How Can I Keep Spiders Out Of My House?

As with all other pests, prevention is better than cure. As there are many different types of spiders that want to get inside your structure, general pest control tips are applicable. Seal up cracks, holes, crevices and other entry points. Make sure your house is free of leaks, spills and is well-maintained. Whatever you can do to keep out other insects will help you keep out spiders, as they will lose their food source inside your home.

One of the best ways to keep out not just spiders, but all kinds of unwanted insects and pests is by maintaining a professionally applied pest control barrier around your home throughout the year. This will not just deter pests from trying to enter, but eliminate those who do. Additionally, keeping your lawn and property up-to-date with pest control applications in the warmer months will effectively widen the barrier between your home and potential pesky invaders.

Whatever kind of house spider you're dealing with, we can help! Call us today!

For even more information on local Virginia pests, check out our other blog posts and pest library