Long-Bodied Cellar Spiders
PHOLCUS PHALANGIOIDES
Color: Pale Yellow to light brown or gray
Legs: 8
Shape: Long skinny legs with a small body
Size: 1/4 – 3/8 inches
Antennae: No
Region: Found throughout U.S.
OVERVIEW
Long-bodied cellar spiders are commonly referred to as “daddy-long-legs” because of their very long, thin legs and as their name implies are found in dark and damp places. There are about 20 species of cellar spiders in the United States and Canada.
HABITS
The spiders and their webs are usually found in dark and damp places, such as cellars, basements, and crawl spaces. They can also be found in the corners of garages, sheds, barns, and warehouses, on eaves, windows, and ceilings, and in closets, sink cabinets, and bath-traps. Cellar spiders seem to fare better in areas with higher relative humidity.
HABITATS
Cellar spiders do not pose a threat to humans. While they are commonly found in homes, they usually stay in one place. They are not known to bite. Urban legend has it that their venom is of the most deadly of spiders, but their weak mouthparts keep them from injecting venom into humans. While it is correct that they cannot successfully bite, their venom is not very potent.
THREATS
Bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, but their bites can become red, itchy welts. People with infestations may experience sleeplessness, anxiety, and social isolation.
