Common House Spiders

The common house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) is a relatively small arachnid with distinct physical characteristics. Here is a detailed description of their appearance:

• Size: Common house spiders are typically quite small, with an adult body length ranging from 4 to 9 millimeters (0.16 to 0.35 inches).
• Coloration: Their coloration can vary, but they often have the following features: The front part of the spider, called the cephalothorax, is usually light brown to tan in color. The abdomen, which is the posterior part of the spider, tends to be yellowish-brown to dark brown. It can have a mottled or geometric pattern on its dorsal side, which may appear as a series of chevrons or bands.
• Abdomen Shape: The abdomen of the common house spider is typically rounded or somewhat spherical, giving the spider a compact appearance.
• Legs: They have eight long, thin legs, which are covered in fine hairs. The legs are often a similar color to the cephalothorax.
• Eyes: These spiders have eight eyes arranged in two rows. The eyes are usually small and not very prominent.
• Spinnerets: At the rear of the abdomen, house spiders have spinnerets, which are specialized silk-spinning structures. These spinnerets are used to create their characteristic cobwebs.

Common house spiders are small arachnids with a compact body. They typically have a light brown to tan cephalothorax and a yellowish to dark brown abdomen, often with distinctive patterns. Their long, slender legs and the spinnerets at the rear of their abdomen are notable features of their appearance.

Common house spiders (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) are highly adaptable arachnids that can be found in and around human dwellings. They are frequently encountered in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations. Here is a comprehensive list of places where you might find these spiders:

Indoor Locations:

• Corners: Common house spiders are known for building irregular webs in corners of rooms, especially near ceilings.
• Windows: They often construct webs around window frames and sills.
• Attics and Basements: These spiders can be found in attics and basements, where they seek refuge and establish webs in hidden areas.
• Closets: Dark, undisturbed closets may also be home to house spiders.
• Sheds and Garages: In storage spaces, you may find them in corners and along the walls.
• Bathrooms: They can occasionally be found in bathrooms, often near fixtures and corners.
• Cellars: House spiders may inhabit cellars and crawl spaces.

Outdoor Locations:

• Exterior Walls: Common house spiders sometimes construct webs on the exterior walls of buildings.
• Garden Sheds: These spiders may also be found in garden sheds, where they build webs in secluded corners.
• Fences: Outdoor fences can also host their webs, especially in less trafficked areas.
• Vegetation: House spiders may be present in gardens, particularly in dense vegetation and among plants.

Hiding Spots:

• Cracks and Crevices: These spiders are adept at finding and occupying small cracks and crevices in walls, furniture, and other structures.
• Sheltered Areas: House spiders prefer sheltered and less disturbed locations, so they are often found in areas where they are less likely to be disturbed by human activity.

Common house spiders are opportunistic and will build their webs in areas where prey is likely to be abundant. Their ability to adapt to indoor and outdoor environments makes them a common presence in many households and buildings. While they are not dangerous to humans, they play a valuable role in controlling insect populations by capturing and consuming various pests that venture into their webs.

The life cycle of common house spiders (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) includes several stages from birth to adulthood. Here is an overview of their life cycle:

Egg Stage:

• The life cycle begins when the adult female spider lays her eggs. These eggs are usually encased in a silken sac, which she attaches to a web or another suitable surface.
• The female guards the egg sac, protecting it from predators and environmental factors.

Spiderling Stage:

• After an incubation period, spiderlings hatch from the egg sac. They emerge as tiny, immature spiders.
• At this stage, spiderlings resemble miniature versions of adult house spiders but lack the distinctive markings and coloration.

Juvenile Stage:

• As spiderlings grow, they go through multiple molts or shedding of their exoskeleton to accommodate their increasing size.
• With each molt, they gradually develop adult characteristics, including the species-specific coloration.

Subadult Stage:

• Subadult spiders are larger than spiderlings and have developed more of the physical features seen in adult house spiders.
• They continue to feed, grow, and mature.

Adult Stage:

• Once a spider reaches full maturity, it enters the adult stage. This stage is marked by the ability to reproduce.
• Adult males and females differ in size, with females typically being larger.
• Mating occurs, and females produce egg sacs to continue the life cycle.

Reproduction:

• Mating typically involves the male spider initiating courtship, often by vibrating the female's web.
• Once mating is successful, the female will produce one or more egg sacs, each containing a large number of eggs.
• The female guards the egg sac and may stay with it until the spiderlings hatch.

Lifespan:

• The lifespan of a common house spider can vary, but it is typically about one to two years.
• The exact duration of each life stage, from egg to adult, can vary depending on environmental conditions, food availability, and other factors.

Dispersal:

• After hatching from the egg sac, spiderlings disperse by releasing silk threads into the air, a behavior known as "ballooning." This allows them to be carried by the wind to new locations, helping them establish in different areas.

The life cycle of common house spiders is characterized by gradual growth, molting, and reproductive activity. These spiders reproduce through sexual reproduction, with females being responsible for egg production and care. As they continue to reproduce and disperse, house spiders play a role in maintaining their population in various environments, including human habitats.

Common house spiders (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) are opportunistic predators and consume a variety of small insects and arthropods that become ensnared in their webs. Their diet primarily consists of:

• Flying Insects: House spiders often capture and feed on flying insects such as flies, mosquitoes, moths, and small winged ants.

• Crawling Insects: They also consume crawling insects, including ants, beetles, and small roaches, which may inadvertently wander into their webs.

• Other Spiders: Common house spiders may engage in cannibalism and prey on smaller or weaker spiders, including other members of their own species.

• Non-Insect Prey: While insects are their primary prey, house spiders can also catch non-insect arthropods like small spiders, springtails, and other tiny creatures that end up in their webs.

• Prey Entrapped in Webs: Their diet mainly consists of prey items that become ensnared in their cobwebs. They immobilize their prey by wrapping it in silk and deliver digestive enzymes to break down the prey's body, making it easier to consume.

Common house spiders play a beneficial role in controlling insect populations within their habitat. By capturing and consuming various pests, they can help reduce the number of unwanted insects in and around homes. While they are not dangerous to humans and are generally considered harmless, they contribute to natural pest control and are a valuable part of the ecosystem.