Size
1” body
Color
Brown to grey
Description
The Domestic House Spider is brown to grey in color, with markings on its back, and legs that extend more than an inch beyond its body. It can run very fast when threatened or in pursuit of prey. Its bite to humans may cause itching and redness at the bite location, but is not fatal.
The Domestic House Spider creates a web that looks like a funnel, with one center hole where the larger female waits for prey. The males and immature spiders usually are nearby, searching for females or another nesting site. The female creates an egg sac in the fall, storing it in the funnel until the young hatch in the spring.
Control Advice
Locate the spider or entice it to come out of the funnel hiding place, and then remove the spider and the web. Vacuum any crevice below the funnel to pull out the spider and egg sac that may be hiding or stored there.
Active Seasons
If outdoors the Domestic House Spider is most active in spring, summer and fall. It will perish in cold weather. If indoors and undisturbed, it can survive two years or longer.