How to Identify a Cobweb Spider

Co-authored by Brandon Runyon

Last Updated: April 29, 2024 Approved

Cobweb spiders, part of the family Theridiidae, are commonly found in and around your home. The majority of them are harmless. There are over 2,300 species of cobweb spiders, and more than 230 in the US. They are named for their messy, irregular webs, which can help you identify them. You can also identify this type of spider by their round bellies, their long legs, and their tendency to live in dark corners.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Identifying Physical Characteristics

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Look for long legs. The legs of cobweb spiders are long and thin, with the first set of legs being the longest. The third set of legs is the shortest. The fourth set of legs have combs or tiny hairs.^{[1]
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- The legs don’t have distinct divisions or spines on them. They look smooth instead of segmented.^{[2]
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Cobweb spiders have round middle sections. They don’t have elongated or oval abdomens. They are often described as globular shaped.^{[3]
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There are thousands of species of cobweb spiders, and over 200 in the US. They will vary in size from small to medium. Many species are around ⅛ to ⅜ inches (3 to 10 mm) long.^{[4]
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Check for a dull color. There are a lot of different species of cobweb spiders with different markings. However, almost all cobweb spiders are brown or gray in color.^{[5]
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- Some markings may be red dots, white stripes, yellow dots, or orange stripes.
One of the most distinguishing features on a cobweb spider is their eyes. The eight eyes form two rows across their head, each with four eyes each.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Studying the Web

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Check for an irregular web. Cobweb spiders are sometimes called cobweb weavers because of the webs they create. These spiders make messy, irregular webs that have no distinct shape or form.^{[7]
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- These webs will not be circular or have a neat pattern like many spider webs. Instead, it may have an uneven, non-circular shape, have large open spaces with clumps in other parts, or look like it's been disturbed.
Cobweb spiders like to build their webs and then spend their time hanging upside down in the middle of the web. If you get close enough, check to see if the head of the spider is hanging down right in the center.^{[8]
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Expect cobweb spiders in dark corners. Cobweb spiders place their webs in dry, dark areas. They can be found in garages, eaves, attics, porches, sheds, and basements. They are also found just about everywhere indoors and around windows.^{[9]
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- You may also find them under decks and houses, or in piles of outdoor debris or trash.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What's the difference between a cobweb spider and a regular spider?

Brandon Runyon
Entomologist
Brandon Runyon is a board-certified Entomologist based in Evansville, Indiana. He has over 18 years of experience as a Pest Control professional, and is the Technical Director of Swat Pest Management. Swat Pest Management serves areas throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, where they provide safe, cost-effective solutions for client’s pest control needs. He authored Bugged by Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Pest Control, a user-friendly guide to commercial pest control practices in hotels, restaurants, apartments, and offices. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Entomology, and received a MS in Entomology from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also received an MBA from Western Governors University.

Brandon Runyon

Entomologist

Expert Answer

Distinguish between cobweb spiders and regular spiders by examining their web-building habits and physical characteristics. Cobweb spiders, such as the common house spider, construct irregular, messy webs often found in corners, ceilings, or other sheltered areas. These spiders typically hang upside down in their webs, waiting to capture prey that becomes entangled in the sticky silk strands. In contrast, regular spiders, also known as orb weavers, build intricate, circular webs with a distinctive radial pattern. These webs are typically positioned horizontally in open spaces, such as between vegetation or across pathways. Regular spiders are often seen positioned at the center of their webs, awaiting prey. Additionally, cobweb spiders tend to have smaller bodies and shorter legs compared to regular spiders. While both types of spiders vary greatly in species and appearance, observing their web-building behavior and physical traits can help differentiate between them.

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Question

How did they get their name?

Community Answer

They weave what are known as cobwebs: the sticky, irregular webs found in attics and other places in homes that are not often visited by people.

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How can I get rid of cobweb making spiders?

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Try using natural repellents like peppermint. You can also set small traps.

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