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Cobweb spiders, part of the family Theridiidae, are commonly found in and around your home. The majority of them are harmless. There are over 2,300 species of cobweb spiders, and more than 230 in the US. They are named for their messy, irregular webs, which can help you identify them. You can also identify this type of spider by their round bellies, their long legs, and their tendency to live in dark corners.
Steps
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Look for long legs. The legs of cobweb spiders are long and thin, with the first set of legs being the longest. The third set of legs is the shortest. The fourth set of legs have combs or tiny hairs. [1] X Research source
- The legs don’t have distinct divisions or spines on them. They look smooth instead of segmented. [2] X Research source
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Check for rounded abdomens. Cobweb spiders have round middle sections. They don’t have elongated or oval abdomens. They are often described as globular shaped. [3] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Look for a spider small to medium in size. There are thousands of species of cobweb spiders, and over 200 in the US. They will vary in size from small to medium. Many species are around ⅛ to ⅜ inches (3 to 10 mm) long. [4] X Research source
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Check for a dull color. There are a lot of different species of cobweb spiders with different markings. However, almost all cobweb spiders are brown or gray in color. [5] X Research source
- Some markings may be red dots, white stripes, yellow dots, or orange stripes.
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Notice two rows of eyes. One of the most distinguishing features on a cobweb spider is their eyes. The eight eyes form two rows across their head, each with four eyes each. [6] X Research source
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Check for an irregular web. Cobweb spiders are sometimes called cobweb weavers because of the webs they create. These spiders make messy, irregular webs that have no distinct shape or form. [7] X Research source
- These webs will not be circular or have a neat pattern like many spider webs. Instead, it may have an uneven, non-circular shape, have large open spaces with clumps in other parts, or look like it's been disturbed.
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Look for an upside down spider. Cobweb spiders like to build their webs and then spend their time hanging upside down in the middle of the web. If you get close enough, check to see if the head of the spider is hanging down right in the center. [8] X Research source
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Expect cobweb spiders in dark corners. Cobweb spiders place their webs in dry, dark areas. They can be found in garages, eaves, attics, porches, sheds, and basements. They are also found just about everywhere indoors and around windows. [9] X Research source
- You may also find them under decks and houses, or in piles of outdoor debris or trash.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat's the difference between a cobweb spider and a regular spider?Brandon Runyon is a board-certified Entomologist based in Evansville, Indiana. He has over 18 years of experience as a Pest Control professional, and is the Technical Director of Swat Pest Management. Swat Pest Management serves areas throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, where they provide safe, cost-effective solutions for client’s pest control needs. He authored Bugged by Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Pest Control, a user-friendly guide to commercial pest control practices in hotels, restaurants, apartments, and offices. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Entomology, and received a MS in Entomology from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also received an MBA from Western Governors University.Distinguish between cobweb spiders and regular spiders by examining their web-building habits and physical characteristics. Cobweb spiders, such as the common house spider, construct irregular, messy webs often found in corners, ceilings, or other sheltered areas. These spiders typically hang upside down in their webs, waiting to capture prey that becomes entangled in the sticky silk strands. In contrast, regular spiders, also known as orb weavers, build intricate, circular webs with a distinctive radial pattern. These webs are typically positioned horizontally in open spaces, such as between vegetation or across pathways. Regular spiders are often seen positioned at the center of their webs, awaiting prey. Additionally, cobweb spiders tend to have smaller bodies and shorter legs compared to regular spiders. While both types of spiders vary greatly in species and appearance, observing their web-building behavior and physical traits can help differentiate between them.
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QuestionHow did they get their name?Community AnswerThey weave what are known as cobwebs: the sticky, irregular webs found in attics and other places in homes that are not often visited by people.
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QuestionHow can I get rid of cobweb making spiders?Community AnswerTry using natural repellents like peppermint. You can also set small traps.
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about entomology, check out our in-depth interview with Brandon Runyon .
References
- ↑ http://bugguide.net/node/view/1960
- ↑ http://msuextension.org/flathead/documents/ag/spiders-insects/Idaho%20Hobo%20Spider%20bulletin.pdf
- ↑ http://msuextension.org/flathead/documents/ag/spiders-insects/Idaho%20Hobo%20Spider%20bulletin.pdf
- ↑ https://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/common-spiders-in-and-around-homes/
- ↑ https://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/common-spiders-in-and-around-homes/
- ↑ https://www.orkincanada.ca/pests/spiders/cobweb-spiders/
- ↑ https://www.orkincanada.ca/pests/spiders/cobweb-spiders/
- ↑ https://ipminstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Spider-Guide-Wegner-BASF-Revised-12-2-14.pdf
- ↑ https://ipminstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Spider-Guide-Wegner-BASF-Revised-12-2-14.pdf
About This Article
Article Summary
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To identify a cobweb spider, look for a long, thin pair of legs in the front. Next, check for a rounded abdomen. Then, see if the spider is brown or gray in color. Cobweb spiders may also have red dots, white stripes, yellow dots, or orange stripes, but not always! Finally, look for eight eyes that form two rows across the spider's head. Cobweb spiders are usually small or medium in size, so if your spider is longer than an inch, it's probably a different kind. For tips on recognizing this spider's unique web, read on!
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