Cellar Spiders in Virginia
Cellar spiders, also known as daddy longlegs spiders (though unrelated), are harmless, delicate creatures with long, thin legs. Commonly found in homes, especially in basements and garages, they spin webs in corners and ceilings, often hanging upside down. Their webs, though messy and irregular, are effective at trapping small insects. As natural predators of larger house spiders, they also feed on flies, bees, wasps, and sometimes even other cellar spiders during times of food scarcity.
Cellar Spider Habitat
In their natural habitat, cellar spiders tend to live in caves, crevices in cliffs, and other sheltered areas. Indoors, they are commonly found in damp environments such as basements, crawl spaces, cellars, and garages, where they prefer quiet and dark spaces. These spiders create chaotic, disorganized webs and are very sensitive to vibrations, allowing them to quickly close in on any insect that stumbles into their web. Both male and female cellar spiders can be found inside homes year-round, especially in climate-controlled areas.
Cellar Spider Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Cellar spiders carry venom, but they are not a threat to humans. They rarely bite and are not known to cause any health issues. These spiders are primarily a nuisance due to the large amounts of webbing they produce. Unlike some species that recycle their webs, cellar spiders continuously build upon them, creating a significant amount of webbing that can become unsightly and hard to clean up in both residential and commercial spaces. Their presence, while not dangerous, can contribute to a cluttered and neglected appearance in areas they inhabit.
To resolve cellar spider infestations in your home, contact your nearby spider extermination service.
