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Giant house spider on a white background

Giant House Spider

Actual Size: ¾ inch with a 2-inch leg span

Characteristics: Large, robust body covered in light brown or grayish hues, with darker markings on its back. Its long, spindly legs can stretch up to 2 inches.

Legs: 8

Habitat: Prefers dark, secluded areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces. It is often found near windows, corners, and other hidden spots in homes.

Habits:

  • They are commonly found in autumn when they reach their maximum size.
  • Builds flat, messy webs with a funnel at one end.
  • Often found in dark corners of rooms, storage sheds, and within firewood or boxes.

Giant House Spiders in Virginia

Common in Virginia, the giant house spider was once thought to be dangerous but has been shown to have little to no venom toxicity. Typically found in dark spaces like storage sheds, barns, or corners of rooms, this spider builds funnel-shaped webs. They are nocturnal creatures and tend to be more active at night. Though they usually stay outdoors, they are known to enter homes by hiding in boxes or firewood.

Giant House Spider Habitat

Giant house spiders are commonly found in garages, basements, and outdoor areas, including firewood piles or cracks between stones. They build funnel-shaped webs where they wait for prey. Not being active climbers, these spiders are typically found on the floor or trapped in sinks and bathtubs indoors. Preferring to remain hidden during the day, they are most often encountered at night.

Giant House Spider Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Giant house spiders are typically seen indoors during the fall when they’ve grown to their full size. Though not aggressive, they often scurry away quickly if threatened. Bites are infrequent, occurring only when the spider feels threatened, but they pose no serious risk. The venom of these spiders is harmless to most people, only affecting those with specific allergies. Despite their size and intimidating look, they pose little risk to humans.

Contact a professional spider exterminator to address any giant house spider issues.

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