Cellar Spiders
Cellar spiders, commonly called daddy long legs spiders, are delicate, long-legged spiders that build loose, irregular webs in dark, undisturbed areas like basements, cellars, garages, and crawl spaces. They have small, pale bodies with extremely long, thin legs that give them a fragile appearance. Multiple layers of webbing accumulate over time as cellar spiders build new webs adjacent to old ones rather than removing them. They are found throughout the United States and are one of the most common indoor spiders.
Species in This Group (1)
Key Behaviors
Cellar spiders hang inverted in their messy webs and vibrate rapidly when disturbed, blurring their outline as a defense mechanism. They prey on other spiders including brown recluses and black widows, making them beneficial in some contexts. Multiple individuals often coexist in close proximity, and web accumulation in undisturbed areas can become quite extensive. They thrive in humid environments.
Risks & Concerns
Cellar spiders are completely harmless to humans despite persistent myths about their venom potency. Their primary impact is aesthetic - extensive cobwebbing in basements, garages, and utility areas requires regular cleaning. They are beneficial predators, and their presence in basements where brown recluses also occur may provide some natural suppression of the more dangerous species.
Need Help With Cellar spiders?
If you're seeing signs of cellar spiders in or around your home, professional treatment is the fastest way to stop the problem. Lotus Pest Control offers free inspections to identify the issue and recommend the right solution.