Cobwebs in the Corner: How Cellar Spiders Are Good & Bad In Homes

Have you ever wondered how so many flimsy, dusty, infuriating spider webs seem to magically appear in your house? Much of the time, if we at Russell’s Pest Control get a panicked phone call about spiders, it’s because the homeowner has seen a large specimen (like a wolf spider) scurrying across the floor. This isn’t surprising behavior because wolf spiders (and many other spiders in Knoxville and its surrounding counties) are ambush spiders. They don’t build elaborate webs to ensnare bugs. This means that if you’re seeing a lot of webbing in the corners and windows sills, you probably don’t have a wolf spider infestation. The most likely candidate for your dusty webs is a creature called the cellar spider (also known as the cobweb spider). To learn more about these common spiders in our region, keep reading to learn more with Russell’s.

What Are Cellar Spiders?

Cellar spiders are hard to spot if you’re not paying attention. Here’s what to look for:

1. They are often fairly pale in color and are unusually thin when compared to most spiders.
2. They are equipped with incredibly long legs; in fact, they are sometimes mistaken for harvestmen (sometimes called “daddy longlegs”), though the two species are quite distinct.
3. If you do happen to spot a cellar spider, you’re most likely to see it hanging upside down from its web. Should you disturb it, it may begin to shake its web violently to try to scare you away.
4. They are physically unable to bite humans or pets because their jaws are too small; it’s impossible for them to hurt you. 

How to Get Rid of Cellar Spiders

If you do have a cellar spider or two, you may want to think twice about whether it’s worth your time to hunt them down and kill them, particularly if they’re in your garage or around the outside of your house. These spindly arachnids are excellent trappers and will rid your home of many six-legged invaders that you may not even see. In fact, the presence of a lot of cellar spiders is just an indicator that there are bugs nearby since hunters only set up housekeeping where food is plentiful. Against all odds, cellar spiders are also known to catch and consume black widows, which can make them very beneficial inhabitants in your garage. If you want to try to eliminate the cobweb makers, start by knocking down the webs every time you see them, and be persistent. 

Need Help With Cellar Spider Control

If you are at your wit’s end dealing with cellar spiders, it’s time to reach out to an expert. At Russell’s Pest Control, our spider exterminators are happy to answer any questions you may have about cellar spiders in your Knoxville home or business.