Cellar Spiders

Active Seasons

Appearance and Size Facts

Cellar spiders, sometimes called daddy long legs (not to be confused with a non-arachnid called a daddy long legs)
Gray to light brown in color
They have a very thin shape and are fragile spiders
With their legs expanded they appear much larger than they actually are
Size: The body ranges from 1/10 to 1/2 inch in length, but with the legs extended it may be up to 2-inches long

Behavior and Habitat

When Cellar spiders are threatened by a touch to the web or when too large of prey becomes entangled, it vibrates rapidly in a gyrating motion in its web and becomes blurred and almost invisible. For this reason it has sometimes been called a ""Vibrating Spider."" Doing so might make it difficult for a predator to see exactly where the spider is, or may increase the chances of capturing insects that have just brushed their web and are still hovering nearby. If the spider continues to be harassed, it will retreat into a corner or drop from its web. Cellar spiders are web-weaving spiders and are distributed worldwide. They hang inverted in messy, irregular, tangled webs. These webs are constructed in dark and damp recesses, in caves, under rocks and loose bark, abandoned mammal burrows, and undisturbed areas in buildings and cellars (hence the common name ""Cellar spiders"").

Signs of Infestation

Cellar spiders hang inverted in messy, irregular, tangled webs. These webs are constructed in dark areas, such as caves, under rocks, loose bark, abandoned mammal burrows, and undisturbed areas in buildings and cellars.

Tips for Prevention

Web removal with broom or vacuum.

Cellar Spider Gallery

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