House Spiders

House spiders are some of the most common pests that invade Georgia homes. Even though they’re mostly harmless, they can be frustrating, especially if you’re tired of cleaning up messy webs. Whether spiders make you nervous or you simply want a pest-free home, here’s what you should know from Bizzy Bee Exterminators.

What Are House Spiders? 

House spiders (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) are small, tannish-brown spiders that often settle inside homes and businesses. Known for building lots of sticky webs, these nuisance pests can live for a year or more, and females are capable of laying thousands of eggs in that time.

House Spider Identification

Size & Appearance

• Female house spiders grow to around ¼ inch long; males are slightly smaller
• Yellowish-brown or tannish-brown bodies with white and dark brown markings
• Males have elongated bodies; females are more rounded
• Eight thin legs, eight eyes, and no antennae

Behavior & Habits

• Build tangled, sticky webs in random spots to catch prey; often abandon old webs to spin new ones
• Feed on small insects caught in their webs
• Prefer areas with humidity and a steady food source
• Females can produce up to 17 egg sacs with as many as 250 eggs each

Signs of Infestation

• Seeing the spiders themselves.
• Noticing spider webs in corners, windows, doorways, and other areas
• Finding spider egg sacs in webs or in warm, hidden areas.

Why House Spiders Are a Problem

House spiders aren’t dangerous, but they are nuisance pests. Their webs make homes look messy, and their presence can signal that other insects (their food source) are active in your house.

Common Hiding Spots for House Spiders

Outdoors

• Around windows
• Around lights and other light sources
• Under eaves
• Porches

Indoors

• Garages, barns, sheds, and other outbuildings
• Basements and crawl spaces
• Upper corners of walls and ceilings
• Behind and under furniture
• Closets
• Around window-frames

How to Prevent House Spider Infestations

Although harmless, house spiders still don’t belong in your house. Keeping them out is possible if you take some preventative measures:

• Reduce moisture inside and outside your house
• Seal entry points, like cracks, crevices, and gaps
• Install weatherstripping and door sweeps
• Wipe down the webs that you find
• Put screens on windows and doors
• Sign up for routine pest control to eliminate spider-attracting pests

How to Eliminate House Spiders

Bizzy Bee Exterminators offers effective home pest control services that target spiders and the insects they feed on. We are the company to call for year-round pest protection in Metro Atlanta! In business since 1972, you can count on our local expertise to keep spiders out.

FAQs About House Spiders

Are house spiders dangerous?

No. While they can bite, bites are rare and usually cause mild irritation. The bigger issue is their messy webs and quick reproduction.

Why am I seeing house spiders in my house all of a sudden?

House spider sightings increase in the fall when the temperature cools off. It’s this time of year when the spiders doing fine outside decide it’s time to move to warmer accommodations. You may also see more spiders if you’re experiencing an influx of insect activity. 

When should I be concerned about house spiders?

It’s not unusual to see a few house spiders here and there in your house. However, if you start to see spiders regularly and there seem to be more and more of them, it’s time to contact Bizzy Bee Exterminators. A large number of spiders can be an indication of an infestation or another pest problem.

Contact Our Local Pros for Spider Control

Whether you see dozens of house spiders in your Metro Atlanta home or have questions about the few you’ve noticed, contact Bizzy Bee Exterminators. We’re happy to answer your questions or look at your house to determine if further action is necessary.