There are nearly 3,000 spider species in North America alone, making identifying a common house spider difficult. Is it just a harmless little guy? Or a venomous predator waiting to pounce? More likely than not, the critter weaving a web on your ceiling is the former, but there’s nothing wrong with knowing the difference for your own peace of mind.
Meet the Experts: Emma Grace Crumbley, entomologist for Mosquito Squad; Roberto M. Pereira, Ph.D., entomologist and insect research scientist with the University of Florida; Marc Potzler, a board-certified entomologist and technical services manager with Ehrlich Pest Control; Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University.
Although they are rare, spider bites can happen. And even a nibble from a house spider can leave an uncomfortable welt. Here are some of the most common house spiders you might see in or outside of your abode, how to identify them, and whether you should worry about becoming their next meal. (Spoiler alert: The arachnids are more heroic than you might expect. So read before fully committing to repellents, traps, and extermination.)
What they look like: These spiders are on the smaller side and have a round abdomen, says Marc Potzler, a board-certified entomologist and technical services manager with Ehrlich Pest Control. “Their web often looks very tangled or messy,” he adds.
Where you’ll find them: They like to hang out in dark, concealed areas. “They hide in corners, underneath cabinets, in basements, sometimes in garages around the windows where flies may be active,” Potzler says.
Size: Nickel-sized or less than a quarter of an inch (0.6 centimeters) long
What they look like: There are over 200 species of wolf spiders crawling around, Potzler explains. And, since they’re hairy they can sometimes be mistaken for tarantulas. Also worth noting: “These are nomadic spiders that don’t spin webs to catch their prey—they hunt them down,” says Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University.
Where you’ll find them: You can find wolf spiders where other insects reside—like garages, basements, sheds, and other dark, enclosed areas, according to Potzler. You can also find wolf spiders outside in various locations: In our around debris, underneath boards, or in gaps around your home.
Can they harm you? No: Russell assures that these spiders “would prefer to hide than bite.” Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What they look like: The infamous black widow has a shiny black color along with their signature, red hourglass-shaped marking on their underside, explains Potzler. “They may also have red markings going up its back,” he adds.
Where you’ll find them: Black widows prefer to dwell in places containing edges and corners, as well as tall grass, Russell notes. You can also find them hiding in mailboxes or garages, he adds.
Can they harm you? “This is one of the few species of spider that can be dangerous to people,” says Potzler. “There are approximately 2,200 bites reported each year, but there has not been a death related to a widow spider in the U.S. since 1983.” Intense pain, muscle stiffness, possible nausea, and vomiting are the telltale signs of a black widow spider bite, and these symptoms will likely occur within a few hours after being bitten, Potzler explains. Head to the ER ASAP if you suspect you’ve been bitten to get immediate treatment.
What they look like: The brown recluse is a brown spider with a distinct “violin-shaped marking” on the top of its head and down its back, Potzler says. They also have six eyes instead of the eight that many other spiders have.
Where you’ll find them: The brown recluse likes to hang out in undisturbed corners of homes, in sheds, and in basements or cellars. “Many bites occur because the spider is hiding in folded towels and sheets, underneath a pile of clothes on the floor, or in shoes in a closet,” Potzler says. “If you live in an area where brown recluse is common, it’s a good idea to shake out your clothes and shoes, or wear gloves if you are working in your shed or garage.”
Size: Female bodies range from about 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 an inch with a leg span over 1 inch and males are generally half the size of females.
Can they harm you? Yes. “The recluse can cause serious damage to people,” says Roberto M. Pereira, Ph.D., an insect research scientist with the University of Florida. “Bite sites are a serious problem.” A brown recluse bite can cause necrotizing wounds (meaning, it kills the cells and tissues around it), so you’ll want to see a doctor immediately if you think you’ve been bitten by one, Russell says.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What they look like: You’re probably pretty familiar with this one, but just in case: It has one round body part and very thin, long legs coming off of it.
Where you’ll find them: They like to live outside, they can sometimes hide under siding or be found on and under decks. “For the most part, you’ll find them on the lawn or up in trees,” says Potzler.
Size: Bodies range from the size of a pinhead to a quarter
Can they harm you? No. “Contrary to myths found on the Internet, daddy longlegs are not venomous enough to kill a horse,” says Potzler. “They do not have venom glands. They pose no harm to humans.”
What they look like: Hobo spiders are tannish-brown and the top of the spider may look mottled, with darker and lighter spots, Potzler says. They look pretty hairy and have spiny hairs coming off the legs.
Where you’ll find them: While they’re usually outside, they sometimes venture indoors. “It can hide in clothing, beds, and shoes,” Potzler says.
Can they harm you? Yes. “The hobo spider can inflict a painful bite that results in localized red swelling and some pain, but no necrotic lesion,” Potzler says. Usually, symptoms will get better within 24 hours with OTC painkillers and ice.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What they look like: There are more than 300 species of these, and they all look a little different. “They are most easily distinguished by their very large, front middle set of eyes, although most people probably don’t want to get close enough to look at their eyes.”
Where you’ll find them: They can be just about anywhere in your house. They don’t build webs, but they’re what Potzler calls “active daytime hunters” so you can spot them at any time. “You may see them both inside climbing walls or ceilings, or hanging out in attics, or outside scaling buildings and trees,” he says.
Color: “Their colors can vary from solid black with distinctive markings, to striped like a zebra, and some have iridescent markings,” Potzler says.
Can they harm you? Not really. While Russell says these spiders “may bite in defense,” it shouldn’t cause any issues for you.
What they look like: The spider will build a tent-like structure out of silk. “They hide in the sac during the day and then hunt at night,” Potzler says. They usually have a dark V shape on their bodies.
Where you’ll find them: Their webs are usually found at the top of the wall where it meets the ceiling or corner, Potzler says. He’s found them most often in living spaces, like living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens.
Size: Body ranges from about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch in body size
Can they harm you? It’s not common for these spiders to bite “but there have been some reports of hospitalizations for individuals who have compromised immune systems or pre-existing health conditions,” Potzler says.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
What they look like: These are the spiders that build huge webs that you can see in the morning covered in dew. “Orb weavers spin their web each day and then tear it down and rebuild the next day,” Potzler says. They can have spiny or smooth abdomens. There are tons of species and some can be difficult to distinguish from other spiders.
Where you’ll find them: They like to build their webs where they’re most likely to grab flying insects, Potzler says. They may build webs on decks or the exterior of your house, especially if you have outside lighting (which attracts the flying insects they like to eat).
Size: The larger species can exceed a body length of 1 inch while the smallest species rarely reach ¼ of an inch
Can they harm you? Not really. While they can bite, it won’t usually cause an issue for most people, Potzler says.
What they look like: It’s a “very ordinary-looking” brown spider, Potzler says. It can be confused with the brown recluse, but grass spiders have long spinnerets (finger-like appendages at the end of the abdomen), which the brown recluse does not have, he says.
Where you’ll find them: They tend to like to hang out around the foundations of homes, but Potzler says that sometimes males will find their way inside while looking for a mate.
Size: Females are about ½ to ¾ inch long (not including legs) and males are slightly smaller
Can they harm you? They can bite but “there are no reported cases of medical significance,” Potzler says.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Spiders exhibit an incredible diversity of colors, shapes, and patterns. Many species have spots, speckles, or other markings on their bodies that help camouflage them or serve as warnings to potential predators. While the majority of spotted spiders are harmless to humans, some venomous species like black widows can be identified by markings on their abdomen. This article will provide an overview of 16 different spiders with spots and how to identify them.
Are Spiders With Spots Dangerous?
It’s important to note that not all spotted spiders are dangerous to humans. In fact, most spiders have venom that is only effective on small insects and poses little threat to people. The few medically significant spiders in North America like black widows and brown recluses have distinguishing features unrelated to their spots. So the presence of markings does not necessarily indicate the spider is hazardous. That said, some spiders will bite in self-defense if mishandled.
16 Common Spotted Spider Species
Here are 16 spiders with distinct spots, speckles, or other abdominal markings
1. Bold Jumping Spider
The bold jumping spider is black with an obvious white triangle on the top of the abdomen Jumping spiders have excellent vision and actively hunt prey rather than building webs They are common across North America in fields and woodlands. Bites are extremely rare.
2. Spinybacked Orbweaver
This spider has six pronounced spines protruding from the abdomen, which may be yellow, white, red, or black. They build circular webs in gardens and woodland edges to catch insects. Bites are not medically significant.
3. Golden Silk Spider
The female golden silk spider is brightly colored, with a brown and yellow striped abdomen. They weave large beautiful webs between trees and shrubs to trap flying insects. Although one of the biggest orbweavers, their bites are relatively harmless to humans.
4. Marbled Orbweaver
Marbled orbweavers have a rounded abdomen with contrasting colors like yellow, brown, white, orange, or black. Smaller males build webs near streams and in wooded areas. The bite causes only mild, localized pain.
5. Six-Spotted Fishing Spider
As the name suggests, this large brown spider has six dark spots underneath its cephalothorax. Semi-aquatic, they hunt near ponds and streams. Their bite is not dangerous unless the victim is allergic.
6. Six-Spotted Orbweaver
This orbweaver is variable in color but usually has six distinct black spots with light rings encircling its abdomen. They build small webs in shrubs and trees to catch prey. Bites are minor.
7. Tropical Orbweaver
In Florida and the Gulf Coast, keep an eye out for the large tropical orbweaver and its webs spanning up to a meter. Some have white dots or stripes on their abdomens. Bites cause only mild symptoms.
8. Shamrock Orbweaver
Shamrock orbweavers have a greenish abdomen adorned with multiple white spots. The brown legs also have white banding. They inhabit forests where they spin large circular webs to trap insects. Bites cause short-lived local pain.
9. Red-Spotted Ant-Mimic Sac Spider
With black bodies and red spots on their abdomens, these spiders superficially resemble ants. They have potent venom for small prey but are not dangerous to humans beyond minor skin irritation from bites.
10. Red-Spotted Orbweaver
This green and orange orb-weaving spider has signature red spots. Their circular webs catch flying insects in gardens and woodlands. Bites may hurt but have no medical importance.
11. Two-Spotted Cobweb Spider
Cobweb spiders in this genus have two prominent white spots on their abdomens, with males and females looking quite different. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are generally harmless to humans.
12. Brown Widow Spider
The brown widow is aptly named for its black and white patterned abdomen coupled with a bold orange hourglass. Though their neurotoxic venom can harm people, fatalities are extremely uncommon.
13. Western Black Widow
Infamous for its potent venom, the female black widow has a glossy black body with a prominent red hourglass marking on the underside. However, they are timid and unlikely to bite humans unless threatened.
14. Southern Black Widow
Closely related to the western black widow, southern black widows also have warning coloration with a red hourglass on their underside. As with other widow spiders, their venom can be dangerous but deaths are rare.
15. Northern Black Widow
The northern black widow has similar coloration to its southern relatives, including red hourglass marking on the abdomen. They inhabit the northeastern United States and occasionally wander into homes. Their bites require medical treatment.
16. Cross Orbweaver
The cross orbweaver is aptly named for the crossed pattern on its abdomen, which can range from yellow to black. The sizable web helps them capture insect prey. Bites cause only minor effects in humans.
While the presence of spots or other vivid markings may make a spider seem more intimidating, these color patterns do not necessarily indicate the spider is dangerous to humans. Most spotted spiders in North America have mild venom and will only bite if carelessly handled. However, a few medically important spiders like widow spiders do possess distinctive abdominal patterning that serves as a warning. Carefully identifying the spider species and its likely threat level can help assess whether control measures need to be taken around homes and property. With over 45,000 spider species globally, their diversity in appearance and behavior is fascinating to observe!
How to get rid of spiders
Spiders are relatively easy pests to get rid of, says Emma Grace Crumbley, entomologist for Mosquito Squad. “They do not have wings and cannot fly away, and while some spiders are speedy and can jump to avoid threats, most spiders are slow-moving enough to either trap them or squish them.” While it’s true that bug sprays will kill spiders on contact, the risk of spraying and missing the spider now leaves pesticide on the walls, floor, ceiling, or wherever you sprayed it, says Crumbley, so she doesn’t recommend using a chemical aid in your removal plan.
Sans chemicals, here are a few ways you can get rid of spiders that Crumbley approves of:
1. Catch & release
When possible, Crumbley advocates for catching spiders and releasing them back outdoors. “Spiders are beneficial bugs that help control other pest insects such as flies, adult mosquitoes, ants, etc.,” she says. Capture and release can look like using a cup and a piece of paper to trap and move the spider outdoors or handling the spider and manually placing it outside the home (to the comfort of the person), she suggests.
2. The boot method
This one feels pretty self-explanatory, says Crumbley. “My advice, try not to squish spiders on walls or carpets as they may leave a stain,” she says. Also, while this method may be a knee-jerk reaction, remember that spiders are nimble. You may lose the spider in the chase and be left with a greater anxiety about where the spider managed to scurry off to, she warns.
3. The paper towel method
Again, pretty self-explanatory—just replace the word “boot” with “paper towel.” Keep in mind that if the spider is identified as dangerous to human health (like a black widow or brown recluse), then proceed with caution in disposing of it, says Crumbley.
What is the most common house spider?
According to the National Wildlife Federation, the American house spider is the spider most commonly found in homes in the United States. However, spider populations vary greatly across the world and the answer to this question changes depending on location.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
This Spider Will CURE Your Arachnophobia – The Bold Jumping Spider
FAQ
What kind of spider has spots on it?
The daring jumping spider, also known as the bold jumping spider, has a distinctive black or dark-gray hairy abdomen. Spots: Most members of this species have three white spots on their abdomen, but in some species the spots may be red or orange.
Are speckled wolf spiders poisonous?
Wolf spiders are also very hairy. And they’re medium-sized — about 1/2 to 2 inches long. Wolf spiders aren’t venomous, meaning that they don’t make or secrete venom (poison). But bites from any kind of spider have the potential to cause an allergic reaction in some people, so you still want to avoid getting bit.
Is a Johnson jumping spider poisonous?
In some cases, jumping spiders will bite in defense, but their bite is not venomous. As such, jumping spiders are not considered a large danger to humans, especially given that these spiders are more likely to run away from people than attack them.
Do spotted ground spiders bite?
Danger to humans
Few bites by these spiders have been reported and when they have, symptoms have been minor, consisting of a red welt and localised hot feeling for a couple of hours. They are not considered dangerous.
Which spiders have white spots?
Several spider species have white spots. Many in the genera Phidippus and Salticus are easily identified by their patterns of white spots on adult spiders. Other black spiders with white spots include the parson spider, spiny-backed orb weaver, and spotted ground swift spider.
What does a spider bite look like?
The appearance of a spider bite can vary depending on the species of spider and individual reactions. Common symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, and itching around the bite site. Some bites may have a central blister or a small ulcer. In severe cases, the bite may cause a more extensive wound, with tissue damage or necrosis. If you suspect a spider bite or experience concerning symptoms, seek medical attention promptly for proper evaluation and treatment.
Which venomous spider has spots?
The most venomous spider that does have spots is the black widow. It is important to remember that not all spiders with spots are dangerous. Overall, most of the spiders you encounter are not considered dangerous, though they may give a nasty bite if you harass them.
What are black spiders with white dots?
Black spiders with white dots are grouped into various genera. Among the types of black spiders you are likely to come across are jumping spiders, purseweb spiders, orb weavers, and black widow spiders. Suppose you notice a hairy black spider with white spots on its back. In that case, you shouldn’t worry.
How do you identify black spiders with white spots?
To identify black spiders with white spots, look for the following key features: Coloration: As the name suggests, the body of these spiders is predominantly black. Spots/Markings: The white spots can appear as small dots, bands, or patterns across their abdomen or legs.
Are black spiders with white spots dangerous?
Black spiders with white spots are often found in different environments, ranging from gardens and forests to urban areas. These spiders belong to various families and genera, each with its own unique traits. While some are harmless, others, such as the infamous Latrodectus mactans (Southern Black Widow), can be dangerous to humans.