If you’ve ever spotted a long-legged spider in your basement, garage, or crawl space, you might have wondered if it’s dangerous.
Cellar spiders belong to the family Pholcidae. With their long, thin legs, they are often mistaken for the true daddy longlegs spiders.
Some people believe that these arachnids are the most venomous spider in the world, but is there any truth to that claim?
Let’s break down the facts.
Key Takeaways
- Cellar spiders are not dangerous and are often mistaken for other harmless arachnids like harvestmen.
- Their venom is too weak to harm humans, and they rarely bite because they are shy.
- These spiders help control pests by catching mites, flies, wasps, and other spiders in their webs.
- While not invasive, they can be removed by pest control experts if their webs become a nuisance.
IS A CELLAR SPIDER POISONOUS?
Often confused with true daddy longlegs or harvestmen, cellar spiders are not the most venomous spiders in North America, nor are they dangerous, despite the myth.
So, what’s the truth about these spiders?
Here’s why you don’t have to worry about them:
Their Venom Is Harmless to Humans
Cellar spiders do have venom glands, but their venom’s toxicity is too low to harm humans. Unlike venomous species like brown recluse spiders or black widow spiders, a cellar spider bite does not cause any reaction in human skin.
In fact, there is no documented case of them harming a person.
They Are Not Likely to Bite Humans
If you’re worried that a cellar spider might bite humans, you can rest easy. These true spiders are incredibly timid and rarely, if ever, bite.
Their short fangs make it difficult for them to pierce the skin, and they prefer to stay in their webs rather than seek out confrontation.
Unlike wolf spiders, which actively hunt their prey, they remain in one spot and wait for food to come to them.
They Help Control Other Pests
Like Southern house spiders, cellar spiders are actually beneficial.
While they rely on their webs instead of hunting, they help control small insects, including mites, crane flies, wasps, and even other species of spiders.
If you have them in your basement or garage, they’re likely doing you a favor by keeping more harmful pests in check.
They Lay Egg Sacs but Are Not Invasive
Cellar spiders reproduce by laying egg sacs in their webs. However, they are not an invasive species, and their population is naturally controlled by their environment.
While they may appear in clusters, they do not spread aggressively throughout a home like some other types of spiders.
SHOULD YOU GET RID OF CELLAR SPIDERS?
Even though cellar spiders are harmless, you may not want an abundance of spider webs in your home. If you prefer a professional solution, pest control experts can remove them safely without harming other beneficial arthropods in your home.
At LaJaunie’s Pest Control, we are here to help.
Our expert team provides thorough spider control services, targeting problem areas like basements, garages, and crawl spaces while ensuring other beneficial arthropods aren’t disturbed. With our proven methods and customer-first approach, you can enjoy a pest-free home without worry.
If you need help managing a funnel web or a high number of long-bodied cellar spiders, give us a call today to schedule your service!