C
Species Profile

Common House Spider

Parasteatoda tepidariorum

The quiet corner pest-controller
Christine Bird/Shutterstock.com

Common House Spider Distribution

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Origin Location

This map shows the native origin of the Common House Spider. As a cosmopolitan species, they are now found worldwide.

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Found in 2 countries

🇧🇷 Brazil 🇦🇷 Argentina
Common House Spider Crawling on a Living Room Floor

At a Glance

Found Worldwide
Also Known As House spider, American house spider, Cobweb spider, Tangle-web spider, Comb-footed spider, Theridiid spider
Diet Insectivore
Activity Nocturnal+
Lifespan 12 years
Weight 3.0E-5 lbs
Status Not Evaluated
Did You Know?

Adult females are typically ~5-8 mm body length; males ~3.5-6 mm (Theridiidae females are usually larger).

Scientific Classification

A small, cosmopolitan cobweb spider frequently found in and around human buildings; builds messy, irregular tangle webs in corners, window frames, garages, sheds, and similar sheltered locations.

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae
Family
Theridiidae
Genus
Parasteatoda
Species
tepidariorum

Distinguishing Features

  • Irregular, three-dimensional “cobweb” (tangle web) rather than an orb web or sheet/funnel web
  • Small to medium size; variable mottled brown/tan coloration
  • Often hangs upside-down in the web
  • Egg sacs may be present near the web; typically in sheltered indoor corners

Physical Measurements

Weight
0 lbs (0 lbs – 0 lbs)
Venomous

Appearance

Primary Colors
Brown Tan Cream
Secondary Colors
Gray Black Spotted Striped
Skin Type Chitinous arthropod exoskeleton (Arachnida) with fine setae; generally smooth to slightly glossy carapace/legs and a more rounded, softer-looking (but still cuticular) abdomen typical of Theridiidae.
Distinctive Features
  • Adult size (body length, excluding legs): females typically ~0.5-0.8 cm; males typically ~0.3-0.45 cm (commonly reported in taxonomic/field references for Parasteatoda tepidariorum).
  • Theridiidae 'comb-foot' trait: a comb of serrated setae on the distal 4th tarsus used to fling sticky silk onto prey (a diagnostic family feature expressed in this species).
  • Builds an irregular 3D cobweb/tangle web (not a sheet/funnel and not an orb): messy, space-filling threads in corners and crevices, often with sticky 'gumfoot' lines that run down to a substrate and snag walking insects.
  • Typical resting posture: often hangs upside-down within the tangle web, with legs splayed to detect vibrations through the web's irregular frame lines.
  • Synanthropic/cosmopolitan lifestyle: commonly found indoors or around buildings (window frames, garages, sheds), using sheltered corners and human structures as web supports.
  • Generally non-aggressive; bites are uncommon and, when they occur, are typically mild/localized (not considered medically significant compared with widow spiders in the same family).
  • Egg sacs are frequently present near the web in occupied indoor sites; sacs are usually pale and papery to silky and are suspended within the web structure.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism is pronounced: females are larger with a more rounded abdomen; males are smaller and slimmer with relatively longer legs and enlarged pedipalps used for mating (typical for Theridiidae, including P. tepidariorum).

♂
  • Smaller body length (commonly ~0.3-0.45 cm) and more slender abdomen; overall lighter, more delicate appearance.
  • Relatively longer legs compared with body size; more 'rangy' profile in the web.
  • Enlarged pedipalps ('boxing glove' palps) in mature males, visible at the front of the body.
♀
  • Larger body length (typically about 0.5-0.6 cm) with a distinctly more bulbous/rounded abdomen.
  • More robust overall build; abdomen patterning often more visually prominent due to larger abdominal surface area.
  • Often the web's primary occupant for long periods, commonly associated with repeated egg-sac production in sheltered indoor sites.

Did You Know?

Adult females are typically ~5-8 mm body length; males ~3.5-6 mm (Theridiidae females are usually larger).

Builds a classic theridiid "tangle web" with sticky capture threads that snag walking insects-perfect for corners, window frames, garages, and sheds.

Has a "comb-foot": a row of serrated bristles on the 4th legs used to flick and wrap silk onto prey (a hallmark of comb-footed cobweb spiders).

Eggs are laid in papery, tan-brown egg sacs in the web; a female may produce multiple sacs over her lifetime.

Generally non-aggressive and beneficial indoors, preying on nuisance insects (flies, mosquitoes, small moths, ants, etc.).

A major research model in evolutionary developmental biology; its genome helped reveal ancient gene duplications in spiders/scorpions (e.g., Schwager et al., 2017, Nature Ecology & Evolution).

Unique Adaptations

  • Comb-foot (Theridiidae trait): serrated setae on tarsus IV act like a silk "carding comb," enabling fast, efficient prey wrapping.
  • Tangle-web architecture: an irregular 3-D mesh is effective in cluttered human structures, catching flying and crawling insects without needing a perfect orb.
  • Adhesive (ecribellate) capture silk: sticky droplets on some lines improve retention of prey in humid, variable indoor microclimates.
  • Synanthropic tolerance: thrives in stable, sheltered, human-made environments (warm corners, window frames, outbuildings), contributing to its near-cosmopolitan distribution.
  • Low-conflict lifestyle: tends to remain in the web and avoid confrontation; bites to humans are uncommon and usually associated with direct handling/pressure.

Interesting Behaviors

  • Corner-site fidelity: individuals often remain in the same sheltered corner or frame, expanding and repairing the web rather than roaming widely.
  • Upside-down hunting posture: typically hangs beneath the web, sensing vibrations through silk rather than actively chasing prey.
  • Gumfoot capture tactic (theridiid style): sticky, tensioned threads near surfaces can "trip" ground-walking insects; struggling tightens the snare.
  • Rapid silk-wrap attack: after a prey impact, the spider uses the comb-foot to throw bands of silk and immobilize prey before biting.
  • Web-shake defense: when disturbed, it may rapidly vibrate/shake in the web, blurring its outline and making it harder for predators to target.
  • Male mate-searching: mature males often leave their small webs and wander in search of females, which is why males are more often seen roaming walls.

Cultural Significance

The house spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum is often welcome indoors as a quiet, not aggressive hunter that helps control pests. It is also used in labs worldwide to study spider development, body segments, silk, and genes.

Myths & Legends

Arachne (Greek tradition): a master weaver transformed into a spider-often invoked to explain spiders' weaving skill and the moral power (and danger) of pride in craftsmanship.

Anansi (West African and Caribbean folklore): the spider trickster who wins stories and reshapes the world through cunning-spiders become symbols of cleverness and survival in human spaces.

Spider Woman/Spider Grandmother (Hopi and other Southwestern Indigenous traditions): a creator and teacher figure associated with weaving and guidance; spider silk becomes a metaphor for life-lines and learning.

"Robert the Bruce and the spider" (Scottish legend): a persevering spider's repeated web-building inspires a king not to give up-house-corner webs are often linked to this tale of persistence.

Binding bride spider (Japanese folklore): a spider spirit associated with webs and enchantment-reflecting a broader cultural awe toward spiders' hidden lives and their silk traps.

Conservation Status

NE Not Evaluated

Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.

Population Unknown

Life Cycle

Birth 250 spiderlings
Lifespan 12 years

Lifespan

In the Wild
3–24 years
In Captivity
6–36 years

Reproduction

Mating System Polygynandry
Social Structure Solitary
Breeding Pattern Transient
Fertilization Internal Fertilization
Birth Type Internal_fertilization

Parasteatoda tepidariorum (common house spider, Theridiidae) is solitary and web-based. Males leave their webs to find females who stay on bigger webs. Matings are brief and by chance. Both sexes mate many times; females store sperm and lay many egg sacs (~100–300 eggs). No parental care.

Behavior & Ecology

Social Colony Group: 1
Activity Nocturnal, Cathemeral
Diet Insectivore Small flying insects-especially Diptera (commonly accepted and widely used as prey in laboratory rearing/feeding, e.g., Drosophila spp.)
Seasonal Hibernates

Temperament

Web-bound ambush predator; spends much of the time stationary in the retreat or at the web margin, responding rapidly to vibration cues.
Generally non-aggressive toward humans; bites are uncommon and typically occur only with handling/pressing against skin (medically minor for this species; local pain/redness may occur).
Strongly territorial toward conspecifics within the web; intruders are often attacked and eaten (intraspecific cannibalism is a major regulator of local density).
Sexual interactions include cautious courtship with risk of female aggression; male behavior emphasizes avoidance and signaling before attempting copulation.

Communication

Web-borne vibratory signaling: prey capture and courtship rely on distinct vibration patterns transmitted through the tangle web Male courtship includes rhythmic plucking/tapping/drumming on the female's web; the female's approach/attack decisions are strongly vibration-mediated
Chemical communication via silk-borne cues: males detect and follow female silk/draglines and assess female presence/receptivity using contact chemoreception Pheromonal cues on silk are widely documented in theridiids and specifically studied in P. tepidariorum under laboratory conditions
Tactile signaling during courtship and mating: leg/pedipalp contact and controlled web tension changes reduce female aggression and coordinate copulation.
Airflow/mechanical disturbance detection: trichobothria and slit sensilla detect nearby movement; individuals often freeze or retreat deeper into the web/crevice in response to vibrations typical of large animals/humans.
Silk placement as an occupancy cue: fresh draglines and web maintenance act as persistent signals of occupancy that influence where conspecifics attempt to settle Variation across HUBS: higher turnover in high-disturbance sites leads to more frequent re-webbing and more encounters

Habitat

Urban Suburban Agricultural/Farmland Plantation Woodland Deciduous Forest Coniferous Forest Grassland Shrubland +3
Biomes:
Temperate Forest Temperate Grassland Mediterranean Tropical Rainforest Tropical Dry Forest Savanna Desert Hot Desert Cold Boreal Forest (Taiga) Tundra Alpine +5
Terrain:
Plains Valley Hilly Coastal Island
Elevation: Up to 9186 ft 4 in

Ecological Role

Synanthropic generalist arthropod predator (web-building insectivore) in and around human structures.

Suppression of nuisance and pest insects (notably small flying insects attracted to lights/windows) Contributes to indoor/edge-structure food webs by transferring insect biomass to higher trophic levels (prey for larger spiders, some insects, and vertebrates in and around buildings) Potentially reduces vector-contact nuisance by capturing mosquitoes and other Diptera in sheltered microhabitats

Diet Details

Main Prey:
Small Diptera Lepidoptera Hymenoptera Coleoptera Cockroaches Hemiptera Other spiders +1

Human Interaction

Domestication Status

Wild

Parasteatoda tepidariorum is not domesticated but lives near people, spreading worldwide by hitching rides in shipments. Adults are small (females 5–8 mm, males 4–5 mm) and build messy cobwebs in corners, windows, sheds. Females make egg sacs (about 100–400 eggs). They eat pests, can be a nuisance, or bite rarely and are low risk.

Danger Level

Low
  • Bites are uncommon; when they occur, effects are typically localized (pain/itching/redness/swelling) and self-limited. P. tepidariorum is generally considered medically insignificant compared with medically important theridiids such as Latrodectus (widow spiders).
  • Indirect nuisance risks: visible cobweb accumulation in corners and around fixtures; concern/confusion with more dangerous spiders; anxiety/arachnophobia triggers.
  • Secondary risk: accidental bites may occur during cleaning, handling stored items, or compressing the spider against skin.

As a Pet

Suitable as Pet

Legality: Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) is usually legal to keep as a pet in much of the U.S. No federal permit is usually needed, but local or park rules, moving rules, or seller limits may apply.

Care Level: Easy

Purchase Cost: Up to $20
Lifetime Cost: $10 - $80

Economic Value

Uses:
Biological pest control (ecosystem service in buildings) Research model organism (developmental biology, genetics, behavior) Education/outreach (classroom observation of web-building and life cycle)
Products:
  • Pest suppression services in homes/outbuildings via predation on nuisance insects
  • Laboratory culture stocks/egg sacs used in research settings (non-food, non-fiber commercial value)

Relationships

Predators 7

Long-bodied cellar spider Pholcus phalangioides
House centipede Scutigera coleoptrata
Yellow sac spider
Yellow sac spider Cheiracanthium
Mud dauber wasp Sceliphron spp.
Spider wasps
Spider wasps Pompilidae
House gecko Hemidactylus
Small insectivorous birds Troglodytidae

Related Species 7

Parasteatoda tabulata Parasteatoda tabulata Shared Genus
Parasteatoda simulans Parasteatoda simulans Shared Genus
Parasteatoda lunata Parasteatoda lunata Shared Genus
False widow spider
False widow spider Steatoda grossa Shared Family
Triangulate cobweb spider Steatoda triangulosa Shared Family
Northern black widow Latrodectus variolus Shared Family
Western black widow Latrodectus hesperus Shared Family

Ecological Equivalents 5

Animals that fill a similar ecological role in their ecosystem

Domestic house spider Tegenaria domestica They both live near people in basements, garages, and window wells and are nocturnal, sit-and-wait hunters; however, T. domestica builds a horizontal sheet web with a funnel, while Parasteatoda tepidariorum constructs a three-dimensional cobweb in corners and crevices.
Giant house spider
Giant house spider Eratigena duellica Both use indoor temperate habitats (sheds, garages, houses) and hunt insects at windows and doors. Eratigena duellica is a fast funnel-weaver that builds sheet/funnel webs; Parasteatoda tepidariorum is a smaller theridiid that constructs sticky tangle webs.
False widow spider
False widow spider Steatoda grossa Both are Theridiidae (cobweb) spiders that live near buildings and make messy gumfoot/tangle webs in sheltered corners to catch crawling and flying insects. Females remain at the webs and produce many egg sacs. Steatoda grossa is larger; Parasteatoda tepidariorum is smaller and very common.
True widows Latrodectus spp. Same family (Theridiidae), building similar cobwebs/gumfoot webs and wrapping prey, often in human-associated habitats. Latrodectus species are usually larger, more dangerous to people, and more often found in outdoor refuges.
Long-bodied cellar spider Pholcus phalangioides An extremely common indoor synanthrope that often co-occurs with P. tepidariorum in corners and on ceilings. Occupies a similar niche as an indoor arthropod predator; additionally, Pholcus frequently preys on other spiders (intraguild predation), making it both an ecological competitor and a predator of P. tepidariorum in buildings.
The common house spider, scientifically known as Parasteatoda tepidariorum, is a small arachnid found in households with colors ranging from light tan to black.
The common house spider, scientifically known as Parasteatoda tepidariorum, is a small arachnid found in households with colors ranging from light tan to black.

A single common house spider egg sac may contain 400 eggs or more

Common house spiders make their webs in the corners and nooks of a home. They are very small creatures measuring less than one-quarter of an inch in length. They live on a diet of flies, mosquitoes, fleas, and ants. Though these spiders have venom, their bite is considered harmless to people and pets.

4 Incredible Common House Spider Facts!

Common Red House Spider

A few of these spiders have a dietary habit of consuming food four times daily.

©M-Production/Shutterstock.com

  • Some of these spiders eat four times each day
  • If it’s not capturing enough insects, this spider will move to another location
  • Though they are solitary, these spiders sometimes build webs near each other
  • Their dark colors help to camouflage them in a home

Here are some other common spiders found in homes:

Species, Types, and Scientific Names

Close Up of Common House Spider

The common household spider, which is occasionally referred to as the American house spider, is scientifically known as Parasteatoda tepidariorum.

©IanRedding/Shutterstock.com

Parasteatoda tepidariorum is the scientific name of the common house spider, which is also sometimes called the American house spider. The word Parasteatoda refers to the genus of the spider and the Latin word tepidariorum relates to a warm environment. These spiders take shelter inside warm homes or other structures.

They belong to the Theridiidae family and the order Araneae. There is one subspecies of the common house spider known as the common gray house spider.

There are 10 other types of spiders that fall into the general category of house spiders. These include:

  • Black house spider- Badumna Insignis
  • Brown house spider- Steatoda grossa
  • Common cellar spider- Pholcus phalangioides
  • Domestic house spider- Tegenaria domestica
  • Giant house spider- Eratigena atrica
  • Hobo spider- Eratigena agrestis
  • Geometric house spider- Latrodectus Geometricus
  • Tiny house spider- Oonops domesticush
  • Yellow sac spider– Chiracanthium inclusum
  • Southern house spider- Kukulcania hibernalis

Evolution and Origins

Similar to all present-day arthropods, the spiders that inhabit your attic may have originated from marine creatures that were up to 7 feet long and existed 480 million years ago.

While true spiders evolved around 300 million years ago, they predate not only humans but also dinosaurs.

It is believed that spiders originated approximately 400 million years ago from ancestors that were arachnids with thick waists, and had recently transitioned from aquatic environments.

The earliest spiders that can be identified with certainty are arachnids with slender waists, abdominal segmentation, and spinnerets used for producing silk, such as the Attercopus fimbriungus fossils.

Appearance: How to Identify

Common House Spider Crawling on a Living Room Floor

A variety of colors can be observed in the common household spider, spanning from pale beige to deep black.

©Christine Bird/Shutterstock.com

The common house spider is found in colors ranging from light tan to black. Females are 0.19 to 0.24 inches in length. Males are smaller in size measuring 0.15 to 0.19 inches long. These spiders weigh less than one ounce.

One of the features setting male common house spiders apart from females is the orangish-brown coloration on their legs.

These spiders have eight spindly legs and eight eyes. Surprisingly, even with so many eyes, they can’t see more than three or four inches in front of them.

One of the most interesting things about the common house spider is its body is similar in shape to the black widow spider. They both have bulb-shaped abdomen. But, despite a similar shape, the venom of a black widow spider is far more dangerous.

The Giant house spider is the largest type of house spider. The body of a female giant house spider can grow to almost three-quarters of an inch. Furthermore, they have a leg span of 1.8 inches.

Their dark colors help common house spiders disappear into the corner of an attic, garage, basement, or spare room in a home. In addition, their coloration can keep them hidden from cats, birds, and dogs that could consume them in one gulp. Though their venom kills small insects, it’s not powerful enough to harm a larger animal.

Common house spiders are mostly solitary with one exception. Scientists have observed males and females occupying the same web while they go through the mating process.

It’s not unusual to find the webs of two or three common house spiders in the same general space without being right next to one another. This is probably because there is an ample food source in the area.

Habitat

Common house spiders populate every area in the world except for Antarctica. True to their name they live in corners of homes, attics, garages, and garden sheds. When looking for a place to build a web, these spiders choose an area where the air is flowing. A corner of a window where the air is leaking in from outside is a common place to find this spider.

A corner in a drafty room or near a pipe that is coming in through an exterior house wall is both favorable places to find this spider’s web. The flow of air increases the chances that a fly, mosquito, flea, or other insect will move through the area.

Diet

Female of the False Black Widow spider or cupboard spider (Steatoda grossa) Common cobweb spider found in houses in Europe

Being carnivorous, spiders consume other organisms as their source of nutrition. They are active at night, and during this time, they feed and undertake repairs to their webs.

©Dan Olsen/Shutterstock.com

Spiders are carnivores. They are nocturnal so they eat and make repairs to the web at night.

What eats common house spiders?

Common house spiders are eaten by birds, spider wasps, centipedes, and sometimes domesticated dogs and cats.

What does a common house spider eat?

A common house spider captures flies, mosquitoes, ants, fleas, and other small insects in the sticky strands of its web. When an insect is caught, the spider puts additional silk threads on top of it. This spider bites its prey and injects it with venom to liquefy its organs. It drinks the insides of its prey and consumes any parts that are not too hard to ingest.

If you observe a common house spider in your home, look at the area beneath its web. The tiny pieces of debris are the discarded parts of its prey.

Prevention

Black House Spider (Badumna insignia)

A single common household spider has the ability to eliminate a substantial number of insects within a household.

©Peter Halasz (User:Pengo) / CC BY-SA 2.5 – Original / License

One common house spider can get rid of a lot of insects in a home. Getting rid of these spiders can mean an increase in pesky flies, mosquitoes, and ants in a home.

However, some homeowners object to the webs and the debris beneath the webs left behind by these spiders. There are ways to get rid of common house spiders or discourage them from making webs in your home.

One way to discourage these spiders from entering your home is to make it less appealing. Check the insulation around your windows and doors.

When you vacuum your carpet, be sure to clean the baseboards too. Use your vacuum cleaner’s extension wand to clean all the corners of the room.

A natural repellent is another option. Spray it in various corners to discourage common house spiders from constructing their webs and laying eggs.

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Sources

  1. University of Wyoming / Accessed September 25, 2021
  2. Wikipedia / Accessed September 25, 2021
  3. Treehugger / Accessed September 25, 2021
  4. ZME Science / Accessed September 25, 2021
  5. Galveston County Master Gardeners / Accessed September 25, 2021
Rebecca Bales

About the Author

Rebecca Bales

Rebecca is an experienced Professional Freelancer with nearly a decade of expertise in writing SEO Content, Digital Illustrations, and Graphic Design. When not engrossed in her creative endeavors, Rebecca dedicates her time to cycling and filming her nature adventures. When not focused on her passion for creating and crafting optimized materials, she harbors a deep fascination and love for cats, jumping spiders, and pet rats.
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