Small house spiders are common indoor companions, quietly living in corners, ceilings, and hidden spaces. Though tiny, these spiders play an important role in controlling pests like gnats, fruit flies, and ants. Each species has unique habits, appearances, and preferred hiding spots. This guide introduces 17 types of small house spiders, helping you recognize their features, understand their behaviors, and identify the harmless species you may encounter in your home.
1. Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
The common house spider is one of the most frequently encountered small spiders indoors. Known for its messy cobwebs and shy behavior, it helps control household pests and rarely interacts directly with humans.
Identification
- Small body, usually brown or tan
- Rounded abdomen with mottled or speckled patterns
- Long, slender legs relative to body size
- Builds irregular, tangled webs in corners
Habitat
Common house spiders thrive in quiet indoor areas such as ceilings, corners, closets, basements, garages, and storage rooms. They prefer undisturbed spaces with steady insect activity. Outdoors, they live under eaves, porches, and window frames.
Behaviors
They build messy cobwebs and wait for prey to get trapped. When disturbed, they often retreat or drop from their web on a silk line. They are shy, non-aggressive, and usually stay in one web for long periods unless food becomes scarce.
Diet
Their diet includes small insects such as flies, gnats, mosquitoes, and ants. They rely on their sticky web to capture prey, then immobilize it with venom before feeding.
Lifecycle
Females produce several egg sacs each year, each containing dozens of spiderlings. Young spiders disperse shortly after hatching. Adults can live up to a year or more indoors, with females typically outliving males.
2. Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)
The cellar spider, often called the “daddy long-legs spider,” is a thin, delicate species commonly found in basements and ceiling corners. Its long legs and shaky defense movements make it easy to recognize indoors.
Identification
- Very small body with extremely long, thin legs
- Pale brown, tan, or gray coloration
- Small oval abdomen
- Builds loose, messy webs in corners
Habitat
Cellar spiders prefer dark, cool, and undisturbed areas such as basements, attics, garages, and high ceiling corners. They also live behind furniture, in storage spaces, and under staircases. They thrive indoors year-round and rarely venture outside.
Behaviors
When threatened, they shake their webs rapidly to blur their outline, a unique defense behavior. They remain close to their web and may stay in one spot for months. They are non-aggressive and commonly outcompete or even prey on other household spiders.
Diet
They feed on flies, gnats, moths, mosquitoes, and even other spiders. Cellar spiders leave their web to wrap prey, using their long legs to keep distance from struggling insects before delivering a bite.
Lifecycle
Females carry egg sacs in their jaws until hatching. Spiderlings stay near the mother for a short time before dispersing. Adults can live over two years indoors, longer than many small house spider species.
3. Jumping Spider (Family: Salticidae – Small House Species)
Small jumping spiders are common indoor visitors, easily recognized by their bold movements and curious behavior. Though tiny, they are excellent hunters with exceptional eyesight and often appear on windowsills, walls, or furniture surfaces.
Identification
- Small, compact body (usually black, brown, or gray)
- Large forward-facing eyes
- Short, strong legs for jumping
- Often fuzzy or velvety in appearance
Habitat
Jumping spiders prefer sunny indoor areas such as windowsills, door frames, countertops, and lighted wall surfaces. Outdoors, they live on plants, fences, and walls. They do not build webs to catch prey but may create small silk retreats in corners or behind objects.
Behaviors
They are active daytime hunters that stalk prey visually and leap with precision. These spiders are known for turning to look at movement, even observing humans with curiosity. They move in short bursts and use silk “safety lines” when jumping from heights.
Diet
Their diet includes small flies, gnats, mosquitoes, ants, and other tiny insects. They pounce quickly on prey, using their excellent eyesight to track and ambush insects rather than relying on webs.
Lifecycle
Females lay eggs inside silk retreats attached to walls or hidden spaces. Spiderlings remain inside for a short period before dispersing. Most small jumping spiders live for about one year, completing several molts before reaching adulthood.
4. Cobweb Spider (Theridiidae – Small House Species)
The cobweb spider is a tiny relative of the widow spiders, known for its irregular webs found in corners and hidden indoor spaces. Though small and delicate, it plays a major role in controlling household insect pests.
Identification
- Small, rounded abdomen
- Brown, tan, or dark-colored body
- Long, thin legs
- Builds messy, tangled webs
Habitat
Cobweb spiders thrive in undisturbed places such as room corners, behind furniture, under sinks, garages, and storage areas. Outdoors, they live under eaves, porch ceilings, and garden structures. They prefer low-traffic spaces with reliable insect activity.
Behaviors
These spiders rarely leave their webs. They hang upside down and wait for insects to become trapped. When disturbed, they often drop to the floor on a silk thread. They are shy, non-aggressive, and typically avoid contact with people.
Diet
Their diet includes ants, gnats, beetles, flies, and small insects that wander into their sticky webs. Once prey is caught, they wrap it in silk and deliver a quick venomous bite before feeding.
Lifecycle
Females create several small egg sacs that remain attached to the web. Spiderlings hatch and stay in the web area before dispersing. Adults usually live for about one year indoors, with females sometimes surviving longer.
5. Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium spp. – Small House Species)
The sac spider is a small, active nighttime hunter often found wandering walls and ceilings indoors. Instead of building webs to catch prey, it creates tiny silk sacs where it hides during the day.
Identification
- Small, smooth body
- Pale yellow, tan, or light brown color
- Long front legs adapted for fast movement
- Builds small silk sacs in corners or crevices
Habitat
Sac spiders live in ceiling corners, wall edges, curtain folds, behind pictures, and around window frames. Outdoors, they hide under bark, stones, and leaf litter but often enter homes seeking warmth and shelter, especially in cooler weather.
Behaviors
They are nocturnal hunters that actively search for prey rather than using webs. During the day, they rest inside small silk sacs—hence the name. They move quickly when disturbed and usually flee rather than fight.
Diet
Sac spiders feed on small insects such as flies, gnats, ants, beetles, and other spiders. They ambush prey using speed and precision, injecting venom to immobilize insects before feeding.
Lifecycle
Females lay eggs inside protective silk sacs, often guarding them until hatching. Spiderlings remain in sheltered areas before dispersing. Sac spiders grow through several molts, typically living about one year indoors.
6. Dwarf Spider (Family: Linyphiidae – Small House Species)
The dwarf spider is an extremely small, ground-dwelling species often overlooked due to its tiny size. These spiders commonly enter homes through cracks and gaps, living quietly in low, hidden areas indoors.
Identification
- Very small body, only a few millimeters long
- Dark brown to black coloration
- Fine, delicate legs
- Builds tiny sheet-like webs near ground level
Habitat
Dwarf spiders prefer cool, damp, and hidden locations such as basements, under furniture, behind appliances, and in corners of floors or window sills. Outdoors, they live in leaf litter, soil surfaces, and under rocks or logs.
Behaviors
These spiders stay close to the ground, moving slowly and deliberately. They build small sheet webs to catch tiny insects. They are not aggressive and are rarely noticed unless disturbed while cleaning.
Diet
Their diet includes minute insects such as springtails, tiny flies, mites, and other micro-arthropods. They rely on their sheet webs to detect and trap prey before immobilizing it with a bite.
Lifecycle
Females lay small egg sacs hidden under debris or in webbing. Spiderlings emerge and remain in sheltered microhabitats as they grow. Dwarf spiders mature quickly and typically live about one year, with some species completing multiple generations annually.
7. Lace-Weaver Spider (Amaurobiidae – Small House Species)
The lace-weaver spider is a small, dark-colored spider known for creating fuzzy, lace-like webs made from special cribellate silk. These spiders commonly appear in basements, sheds, and quiet corners of homes.
Identification
- Small body, usually dark brown or black
- Oval abdomen with subtle patterns
- Slightly hairy legs
- Builds woolly, lace-like webs with a tubular retreat
Habitat
Lace-weavers prefer dim, sheltered indoor spaces such as basements, wall corners, garages, crawl spaces, and storage rooms. Outdoors, they live under stones, tree bark, and wood piles. They choose locations with stable humidity and minimal disturbance.
Behaviors
They are nocturnal and remain inside their tubular retreat during the day. At night, they wait near the web entrance for prey to touch the lace-like surface. When disturbed, they retreat quickly into their tube and rarely wander far.
Diet
Their diet includes small indoor insects such as flies, beetles, ants, and other tiny arthropods. Their cribellate silk entangles prey without stickiness, allowing them to catch insects efficiently before dragging them into the retreat to feed.
Lifecycle
Females produce egg sacs within their retreat and guard them until hatching. Spiderlings stay nearby before dispersal. These spiders grow steadily through several molts and typically live one to two years, depending on conditions.
8. Tiny Crab Spider (Family: Thomisidae – Small House Species)
The tiny crab spider is a small, sideways-walking spider often found on walls, window sills, and plants inside homes. Its crab-like stance and ability to change body posture make it easy to distinguish from other house spiders.
Identification
- Very small body, often just a few millimeters
- Flat, wide body with sideways-held legs
- Colors range from pale tan to dark brown or black
- Legs extend outward like a crab’s
Habitat
Tiny crab spiders live in corners of rooms, window edges, houseplants, curtains, and quiet ceiling areas. Outdoors, they rest on flowers, leaves, and stems. Indoors, they often follow prey and settle where small insects gather.
Behaviors
These spiders do not build webs to catch prey. Instead, they ambush insects by staying still and striking quickly when something comes close. They walk sideways and backward with ease, helping them hide instantly when disturbed.
Diet
Their diet includes gnats, small flies, fruit flies, and tiny insects found on plants. They rely on stealth and quick reflexes rather than webs, using venom to immobilize prey immediately.
Lifecycle
Females lay small egg sacs attached to leaves, wall edges, or hidden corners. Spiderlings remain near the sac for a short time before dispersing. Tiny crab spiders mature quickly and typically live about one year.
9. Spitting Spider (Scytodidae – Small House Species)
The spitting spider is a small, delicate house spider known for its unique hunting method: it spits sticky silk and venom onto prey from a distance. Its slow movements and dome-shaped body distinguish it from other tiny indoor spiders.
Identification
- Small, rounded body with long, thin legs
- Pale yellow, tan, or light brown with dark speckles
- Dome-shaped cephalothorax
- Moves very slowly and deliberately
Habitat
Spitting spiders prefer quiet indoor spaces such as walls, ceilings, closets, behind furniture, and corners of rooms. They also appear in basements, attics, and garages. Outdoors, they hide under bark, stones, and debris.
Behaviors
These spiders use a unique hunting method: they spit a sticky, venomous substance in a rapid zigzag pattern to immobilize prey before biting. They move slowly but can strike quickly when necessary. They do not build webs for trapping prey but create small shelters for resting.
Diet
Their diet includes small insects such as ants, flies, gnats, and other tiny arthropods. They rely on ambush tactics and their specialized spit to subdue prey effectively.
Lifecycle
Females lay eggs inside small silk capsules and guard them closely. Spiderlings stay near the mother until their first molt, then disperse to find their own hiding spots. Spitting spiders develop slowly and typically live one to two years.
10. Ground Spider (Family: Gnaphosidae – Small House Species)
The ground spider is a small, fast-moving hunter often found at floor level inside homes. These spiders do not rely on webs to catch prey but instead use speed and stealth to capture insects.
Identification
- Small, elongated body
- Dark brown, gray, or black coloration
- Cylindrical spinnerets visible at the abdomen tip
- Quick, darting movements across floors and walls
Habitat
Ground spiders prefer hidden, low-lying indoor areas such as baseboards, under furniture, behind appliances, and basement floors. Outdoors, they live in leaf litter, soil, and under stones. They often enter homes seeking food or shelter.
Behaviors
They are nocturnal hunters that roam in search of prey. These spiders build small silk retreats for resting rather than trapping insects. They are shy, quick to flee, and rarely noticed unless they are moving across a surface.
Diet
Their diet includes ants, beetles, small flies, gnats, and other tiny insects. They stalk and grab prey using their speed, subduing it with a quick bite.
Lifecycle
Females create egg sacs within hidden retreats. Spiderlings remain nearby for a short time before dispersing. Ground spiders grow through several molts and usually live around one year, with some overwintering in protected indoor spaces.
11. Pirate Spider (Family: Mimetidae – Small House Species)
The pirate spider is a small, slender species known for its unusual habit of hunting other spiders. Instead of targeting insects, it steals prey or attacks spiders in their own webs, hence the nickname “pirate.”
Identification
- Small body with long, thin legs
- Pale yellow, brown, or dark coloration
- Distinct spiny or banded legs
- Elongated abdomen with subtle patterns
Habitat
Pirate spiders live near cobwebs, corners, and quiet indoor spaces where other spiders reside. They may be found around ceilings, behind furniture, in garages, and along window frames. Outdoors, they inhabit bushes, tree bark, and garden webs.
Behaviors
These spiders specialize in hunting other spiders. They pluck threads of a victim’s web to mimic trapped prey, luring the host into range. Quick to strike, pirate spiders use precision and stealth to overpower their targets. They do not build large webs themselves.
Diet
Their diet is primarily spiders—cobweb spiders, dwarf spiders, small orb-weavers, and other web builders. Occasionally, they consume tiny insects but prefer spider prey.
Lifecycle
Females lay egg sacs near their hiding spots, often attached to small silk retreats. Spiderlings disperse soon after hatching and quickly learn to hunt small spiders. Pirate spiders typically live for about one year.
12. Feather-Legged Spider (Uloboridae – Small House Species)
The feather-legged spider is a tiny, harmless spider known for the unique brush-like hairs on its legs. Unlike most spiders, it has no venom glands and relies entirely on its silk to subdue prey.
Identification
- Very small, lightweight body
- Long legs with distinctive feathery hairs
- Pale brown, gray, or tan coloration
- Builds orb-shaped, fuzzy-looking webs
Habitat
Feather-legged spiders prefer quiet indoor areas such as corners of ceilings, window frames, garages, and storage rooms. Outdoors, they live on shrubs, fences, and sheltered areas where light breezes help support their delicate webs.
Behaviors
These spiders create orb webs made of wool-like cribellate silk. Since they lack venom, they rely on their sticky, fuzzy silk to entangle prey. They remain still for long periods, often positioned upside down in the web’s center. They are extremely gentle and avoid confrontation.
Diet
Their diet includes tiny insects such as fruit flies, gnats, and small moths. Once prey becomes entangled, they wrap it tightly in more silk until it is fully immobilized before feeding.
Lifecycle
Females produce small egg sacs within the web, often guarding them until spiderlings hatch. Young spiders disperse and begin spinning miniature orb webs. The species matures through multiple molts and generally lives about one year.
13. Mesh-Web Weaver (Dictynidae – Small House Species)
The mesh-web weaver is a tiny spider known for creating delicate, wool-like webs in corners, windows, and outdoor structures. Its cribellate silk gives the web a fuzzy appearance, making it different from sticky cobwebs.
Identification
- Very small body, usually a few millimeters
- Gray, brown, or black coloration
- Slightly hairy legs
- Builds fine, mesh-like webs with a woolly texture
Habitat
Mesh-web weavers live in window frames, wall corners, ceiling edges, and sheltered indoor cracks. Outdoors, they build webs on plant stems, fences, porch railings, and under eaves. They prefer stable, lightly breezy areas where their mesh webs can remain intact.
Behaviors
These spiders stay still on their mesh webs, waiting for tiny insects to touch the fibers. Their cribellate silk entangles prey without stickiness. They are shy and seldom leave their webs unless disturbed. Their movements are slow and cautious.
Diet
They feed on small insects such as gnats, fruit flies, tiny beetles, and other arthropods small enough to become caught in their fine webbing. Once prey is entangled, they wrap it in dense silk before feeding.
Lifecycle
Females lay eggs within small silk retreats built near the mesh web. Spiderlings hatch and stay nearby for a short time before dispersing to build their own tiny webs. The species grows through multiple molts and typically lives about one year.
14. Money Spider (Linyphiidae – Small House Species)
The money spider is one of the smallest spiders found in homes, often only a few millimeters long. These tiny spiders are considered lucky in folklore and are completely harmless, quietly living in corners and low webbing areas.
Identification
- Very tiny body, often 2–5 mm
- Dark brown, reddish, or black coloration
- Fine, delicate legs
- Builds small sheet-like or tangle webs
Habitat
Money spiders live in corners of floors, window frames, basements, and behind furniture. Outdoors, they inhabit grass, plants, shrubs, and leaf litter. Indoors, they prefer quiet, undisturbed areas with access to tiny insects.
Behaviors
These spiders build small sheet webs close to the ground or vegetation. They move slowly and hide quickly when disturbed. Their webs are designed to trap very small insects, and they rarely leave their web unless searching for a new location.
Diet
Their diet consists mainly of minute insects such as springtails, aphids, tiny flies, and mites. They rely on their fine webbing to capture prey and quickly subdue it with a bite before feeding.
Lifecycle
Females lay tiny egg sacs hidden within the web or under debris. Spiderlings stay close to the nest for a short period before dispersing. Money spiders mature quickly and usually complete their life cycle within one year.
15. Running Crab Spider (Philodromidae – Small House Species)
The running crab spider is a small, flat-bodied spider known for its sideways movements and incredible speed. Often mistaken for tiny crab spiders, these agile hunters roam walls and ceilings in search of prey.
Identification
- Small, flattened body
- Legs extend outward in a crab-like stance
- Pale tan, gray, or dark brown coloration
- Very fast, capable of sudden sideways sprints
Habitat
Running crab spiders prefer open indoor areas such as walls, ceilings, window frames, and lighted surfaces. Outdoors, they live on tree bark, fences, shrubs, and garden structures. They frequently wander indoors while hunting or seeking shelter.
Behaviors
These spiders do not build webs for capturing prey. Instead, they actively chase or ambush insects using speed and precision. They remain motionless when threatened but can instantly dash away in any direction, including sideways.
Diet
Their diet includes flies, gnats, small beetles, ants, and moths. They rely on agility and quick strikes to catch prey, subduing it with a fast bite.
Lifecycle
Females lay egg sacs hidden in bark crevices, wall edges, or under leaves. Spiderlings disperse shortly after hatching. Running crab spiders grow through multiple molts and typically live for about one year.
16. Midget Orb-Weaver (Araneidae – Small House Species)
The midget orb-weaver is a tiny spider known for constructing miniature orb-shaped webs in corners, around windows, and near lights. Despite its small size, it is an effective hunter of tiny flying insects.
Identification
- Very small body, often under 4 mm
- Rounded abdomen with faint patterns
- Short legs compared to other orb-weavers
- Builds small, perfect circular webs
Habitat
Midget orb-weavers prefer indoor areas with steady airflow and light sources, such as window corners, lamp fixtures, and door frames. Outdoors, they live on shrubs, garden plants, and fences. Indoors, they choose quiet spots where small insects gather.
Behaviors
These spiders build miniature orb webs to catch prey. They often sit at the web’s center or hide nearby with a signal line attached. They rebuild or repair their web regularly, especially after capturing insects.
Diet
Their diet includes tiny flies, gnats, fruit flies, and other small flying insects. They rely on their delicate orb web to trap prey, quickly immobilizing it with silk before feeding.
Lifecycle
Females lay small egg sacs attached to nearby surfaces or web supports. Spiderlings hatch and balloon to new areas or build tiny orb webs nearby. Midget orb-weavers generally live for one season, with adults appearing mainly in warmer months.
17. Wall Spider (Oecobiidae – Small House Species)
The wall spider is a tiny, fast-moving spider commonly found on indoor walls, ceilings, and corners. Known for its circular web-building behavior, this species is both harmless and effective at controlling indoor pests.
Identification
- Small, round body
- Dark brown, gray, or black coloration
- Very long, thin legs relative to body size
- Builds tiny circular webs at wall-floor junctions
Habitat
Wall spiders prefer indoor environments such as wall edges, ceiling corners, baseboards, and behind furniture. They thrive in warm, dry rooms and often appear near lights where insects gather. Outdoors, they hide under rocks, bark, and building crevices.
Behaviors
These spiders build small, round, flat webs pressed against surfaces. They remain hidden near the web’s edge and dash out rapidly when prey touches the silk. They move quickly and may escape by running or dropping on a silk line if disturbed.
Diet
Their diet includes small flies, gnats, ants, and tiny beetles. They depend on vibration-sensitive webs to detect prey, capturing and wrapping insects rapidly with fine silk.
Lifecycle
Females lay egg sacs near their webs, usually attached to flat surfaces. Spiderlings hatch and stay close before dispersing to build their own miniature webs. Wall spiders grow through several molts and typically live about one year indoors.
FAQs
1. Why do small house spiders often appear indoors?
Small house spiders enter homes in search of shelter, food, and stable temperatures. Quiet corners, basements, and ceilings offer ideal hiding places. Indoor lighting attracts insects, providing spiders with a steady food supply. Most species naturally thrive indoors and may stay year-round.
2. Are small house spiders dangerous to humans?
No. The vast majority of small house spiders are harmless and avoid contact with people. Their bites are extremely rare and typically no more serious than a mild insect bite. These spiders help reduce pests like gnats, fruit flies, and mosquitoes.
3. Why do some spiders wander while others stay in webs?
Web-building spiders remain in one area because they rely on their webs to capture prey. Wandering spiders, like jumping spiders or ground spiders, use speed, eyesight, or stealth to hunt. Each species evolved a strategy that best fits its habitat and prey type.
4. How can I reduce small spiders in my home without harming them?
Seal entry gaps, reduce clutter, keep lights minimized at night, and remove old webs from corners. Using natural deterrents like peppermint oil or vinegar can help without harming spiders. Relocating them outdoors is also a safe, humane option.
5. Do small house spiders reproduce quickly indoors?
Some species produce multiple egg sacs per year, while others reproduce only once per season. Indoor conditions—stable temperatures and abundant prey—can support more frequent breeding. However, most spiderlings disperse quickly, and only a few survive to adulthood.