House Spiders in South Carolina: What They Are, Why You’re Seeing Them, and How to Keep Them Out
House spiders are some of the most frequently encountered spiders inside homes throughout South Carolina’s Pee Dee and Grand Strand areas. They’re the ones you’ll usually find tucked into corners, stretched across ceiling edges, or quietly hanging out in basements, crawl spaces, and spare rooms. While they’re easy to overlook at first, their webs tend to make them very noticeable once they settle in.
The good news? House spiders aren’t aggressive, and they’re not interested in people. They’re indoors for the same reason as most spiders—to find shelter and a steady food source when insects are active inside.
Below, we break down the most common questions homeowners have about house spiders, why they show up indoors, and practical ways to keep them from taking up long-term residence.
When are house spiders most active?
What Do Common House Spiders Look Like?
House spiders are small to medium-sized spiders. They typically range from yellowish-brown to gray or black and are often seen near corners, windows, basements, or other quiet indoor areas.
How to identify a house spider:
- About 3/16–5/16 inch in length
- Round or oval-shaped abdomen
- Yellowish-brown, brown, gray, or black coloring
- Long, slender legs
- Builds irregular, messy webs
- Commonly found in undisturbed indoor areas
Common House Spider Behavior
House spiders are primarily web-building spiders, and their webs are designed to catch insects like flies, mosquitoes, earwigs, and cockroaches. If a web isn’t catching prey, the spider will abandon it and create a new one in another location.
House spiders reproduce quickly. Females can produce multiple egg sacs, each containing hundreds of eggs. With proper shelter and food, house spiders can live for one to two years.
What Do Common House Spiders Eat?
House spiders feed on other bugs. As mentioned above, if their web isn’t catching prey, they move to a new location and try again.
Are Common House Spiders Venomous?
Although they have venom, common house spiders are not dangerous to humans. Bites are rare and usually cause only minor irritation, similar to a mosquito bite. This is very different from spiders like brown recluses and black widows, which are venomous species homeowners should be more cautious around.
Why Are House Spiders Considered a Nuisance?
House spiders can quickly become a nuisance because their webs accumulate dust, making homes look untidy. Frequent webs in corners, basements, attics, or near doors, windows, and light fixtures can interfere with daily life and create an unkempt appearance, even if the spiders themselves aren’t harmful.
How Do House Spiders Compare to Other Household Pests?
While house spiders are not dangerous, they are part of the indoor pest ecosystem and often appear alongside other unwelcome insects. Their presence can indicate a broader pest problem and contribute to an overall feeling of an unclean or crowded home environment.
Can I Spray My Home for House Spiders?
DIY sprays are available but are often ineffective and can be unsafe if misused. Professional pest control is the most reliable solution.
How do I Get Rid of House Spiders?
Contact a locally owned pest control company, such as Harris Pest Control. Locally owned and family-operated since 1973, we offer effective pest treatments for house spiders and other pests in South Carolina’s Pee Dee and Grand Strand areas. Sign up for one of our home pest control plans and let us protect your home from spiders and other house-infesting pests.
Request a free quote and let our team get to work!
How Can I Prevent Common House Spiders in My Home?
To prevent common house spiders, we recommend:
- Keeping your home clean and well-ventilated
- Eliminating insects that house spiders prey on
- Sealing cracks and openings in your home’s exterior
- Installing weatherstripping around doors and windows
- Reducing clutter
- Trimming tree limbs, bushes, and other landscaping so that they do not touch your
house
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