The brown house spider, also known as the domestic house spider, is a common sight in homes throughout North America.
These house spiders originated from Europe, but they can now be found on every continent except Antarctica. Brown house spiders generally come from the outdoors, seek shelter in homes and stay there year-round.
They prefer to live in dark, damp places such as rocks, under tree barks, sheds, garages, and in the cracks of buildings.
Outdoors, brown house spiders are often found near water sources such as ponds and streams. They build their webs close to the ground in areas where insects are plentiful.
Brown House Spiders Origin
Europe is a continent with a long and storied history. It has been home to some of the world’s most powerful empires for centuries. It is also the birthplace of the Brown House Spider.
This eight-legged arachnid is thought to have originated in Europe and is now found in different parts of the globe. This spider gets their name from its brown, molted body.
It is usually 12 and 20 millimeters in length, making it one of the larger species of house spiders.
Throughout Europe, the brown house spider is a common sight; it can be found in homes and gardens, where it builds its characteristic funnel-shaped webs.
These webs are typically built in dark corners or in crevices along windowsills and door frames. Due to Europe’s generally mild climate, the brown house spider has evolved to thrive in relatively dry conditions, with only moderate temperature fluctuations.
Despite its name, this spider species also tend to prefer gray and dull hues over other colors when selecting potential retreats and hiding places.
Given its adaptability, persistence, and range of habitats, it’s no wonder that the brown house spider has become one of the most ubiquitous pests in the world.
Over the years, the brown house spider has adapted to different climates and environments. They are now commonly found in North America, South America, Australia, and Africa.
These spiders are not picky in their habitat and can be found in rural and urban areas.
Brown House Spiders Habitat
Thriving in damp, dark, and secluded areas, the brown house spider is often found in basements, attics, crawl spaces, and closets.
These arachnids are also commonly seen in garages, sheds, and other storage areas where there are boxes or other clutter that can provide hiding places.
Outdoors, brown house spiders build their webs near the ground in protected areas from the wind. These spiders are often found near water sources such as ponds, streams, and birdbaths.
They also build their webs in trees, under eaves, and in other sheltered areas where insects are plentiful.
Usually hiding in their webs or in dark corners, brown house spiders will come out at night to hunt. During the day, these spiders can be seen running along walls or floors in search of prey.
If they feel threatened, these house spiders will drop to the ground and play dead.
Do Brown House Spiders Go Outside Your Home?
Most of the time, brown house spiders stay inside homes. However, during the late summer and early fall, adult spiders may occasionally be seen outdoors on walls or fences near lights.
Adult females sometimes build their webs outside buildings and homes in these same locations. These webs are used to capture prey and are not used for egg sacs or for shelter.
Brown House Spiders in Homes
These small arachnids tend to seek out dark and secluded spaces where they can safely weave their intricate webs between nooks and crannies.
Though many homeowners find these eight-legged creatures to be nothing more than a nuisance, it is important to recognize their role as predators within the household ecosystem.
In fact, studies have shown that brown house spiders will often catch and eat other insects such as moths and cockroaches that may cause damage or spread disease in your home.
So if you are trying to keep your home pest-free, this humble brown house spider just might be your best friend! When left undisturbed, these gentle arachnids can help to keep your living space free from destructive and dangerous pests.
Related Topics: Are Brown House Spider poisonous.
Final Thoughts
Originally coming from Europe, brown house spiders have had no trouble adapting to life in North America. These spiders are now commonly found in homes and gardens across the continent.
Though they may not be the most pleasant creatures to have around, their ability to control populations of other harmful pests makes them an important part of the home ecosystem.
You may not usually find their hiding spots as they are usually in your home’s darkest and most humid areas. However, if you do see one out in the open, there is no need to be alarmed.
These spiders pose no threat to humans. Their venom isn’t dangerous – it may sting, but it doesn’t contain any poison at all. Additionally, the chances of getting bitten by a brown house spider are very low.
If you are bitten, it is likely that the spider was feeling threatened in some way. So next time you see one of these furry little creatures crawling around your home, just let them be, and they’ll help you in their own little ways by keeping your home free of other pests!
