Can Daddy Long Legs Bite?
Harvestmen—often called “daddy long legs”—technically can bite, but their mouthparts make it extremely unlikely for them to break human skin. Unlike true spiders, harvestmen don’t have fangs or venom glands. Their small, pincer-like mouthparts are designed for feeding on decaying matter, tiny insects, and plant material, not for defensive biting. In the rare instances where someone feels a nip, it’s usually more of a mild pinch rather than a true bite.
Do Daddy Long Legs Bite?
True bites from harvestmen are extraordinarily rare, but the few situations in which they might try to pinch include moments where they feel physically threatened or trapped. Because they aren’t aggressive and lack strong mouthparts, these scenarios almost always involve direct handling.
They’re most likely to attempt a defensive pinch when:
- They’re tightly held or squeezed. Picking one up and accidentally applying pressure may cause it to react.
- They’re trapped against the skin. If one gets caught in clothing or under a hand, it may attempt to pinch as an escape response.
- They’re brushed or grabbed abruptly. Sudden handling can trigger a reflexive defensive action.
Even in these situations, their pinch is so weak that most people never feel anything, and they are not capable of puncturing skin or delivering venom.
Daddy Long Leg Bites
A “bite” from a daddy long legs is essentially harmless, and in most cases, people never feel anything at all. Because harvestmen have no fangs and no venom glands, they cannot inject venom, cannot break the skin, and cannot deliver any medically significant injury. At worst, a defensive pinch may cause a momentary mild sensation—more like a tiny pressure or irritation than an actual bite. There is no risk of allergic reactions, systemic symptoms, or tissue damage. The only theoretical concern is a very minor skin irritation if someone has extremely sensitive skin, but even that is uncommon. Overall, there are no meaningful risks, and daddy long legs are considered completely harmless to people and pets.
What Do Daddy Long Leg Bites Look Like?
Because daddy long legs (harvestmen) cannot pierce human skin with their weak, pincer-like mouthparts, true bite marks essentially do not occur. In nearly all cases, there is no visible mark at all.
If someone believes they were “bitten,” the appearance is usually due to something else—minor skin irritation, pressure from handling the animal, or an unrelated insect bite. In the extremely rare instance where a harvestman manages to pinch sensitive skin, the appearance would be limited to:
A faint red dot or tiny area of mild redness (if anything appears at all)
No puncture marks
No swelling, bruising, or spreading redness
No rash, blistering, or necrosis
There is no characteristic bite pattern, because harvestmen are physically incapable of producing the type of wound associated with spiders or insects.
What To Do About Daddy Long Leg Bites
If you believe a daddy long legs has pinched you, there’s really nothing special you need to do. Since harvestmen can’t break the skin or inject venom, the “bite” is harmless and requires no medical treatment. Still, a simple, basic approach can help if the area feels irritated.
If you think you were bitten or pinched:
- Wash the area gently with soap and water. This removes any surface dirt or irritants.
- Apply a cool compress if the skin feels warm or slightly irritated, though this is rarely necessary.
- Use a mild lotion like aloe or an over-the-counter anti-itch cream if you notice any minor redness or sensitivity.
- Monitor the spot briefly. Any mild irritation should fade quickly.
If you see swelling, a spreading rash, or significant discomfort, it’s almost certainly from another source—such as mosquitoes, fleas, or skin irritation unrelated to the harvestman—because daddy long legs simply cannot cause those symptoms.