What Are House Spiders?
The common house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) is the spider most frequently found inside North Carolina homes. They are small (5–8 mm body length), yellowish-brown with faint markings, and build irregular, tangled cobwebs in corners, window frames, basements, garages, and attics.
Habitat & Behavior
House spiders are beneficial predators that feed on flies, mosquitoes, ants, and other household insects. They are shy and rarely bite, and their venom is not medically significant to humans. However, their cobwebs can accumulate and make homes look unkempt.
Female house spiders can produce multiple egg sacs, each containing 250 or more eggs, leading to rapid population growth if conditions are favorable. They prefer undisturbed areas with access to prey insects, which is why webs are often found in corners, behind furniture, and around window frames where insects are attracted to light.
Prevention & Control
Regular cleaning and web removal discourages spiders from settling. Reduce outdoor lighting that attracts prey insects near entry points. Seal cracks around windows and doors, install door sweeps, and repair torn screens. Removing clutter in basements, garages, and storage areas eliminates potential harborage. If spider populations persist despite cleaning, a perimeter treatment by a pest control professional can significantly reduce their numbers.