Cellar Spider (Daddy Long Legs)

Signs You Have Cellar Spider (Daddy Long Legs)

What homeowners spot first

1. Loose, tangled webs in corners
2. Spiders hanging upside down in webs
3. Spiders vibrating rapidly when disturbed
4. Accumulated old webs in undisturbed areas
5. Very long, thin-legged spiders

Cellar spiders build messy, tangled webs in undisturbed areas and hang upside down waiting for prey. They're known to prey on other spiders, including black widows and hobo spiders. Old webs accumulate as they build new ones nearby rather than repairing damaged webs.

Our $49 initial service for cellar spiders focuses on physical web removal in basements, garages, and eaves, plus a residual perimeter treatment that knocks down the prey insects they feed on. We don't aggressively target the spiders themselves because they're beneficial predators of black widows and hobo spiders. Quarterly visits keep the webs from rebuilding without removing one of the better natural controls in your home.

Are daddy long legs the most venomous spider in the world?

No, that's a popular myth. Cellar spiders can bite and their venom is not particularly potent. They're completely harmless to humans and actually prey on dangerous spiders like black widows and hobo spiders.

Should I kill cellar spiders in my Boise basement?

We usually recommend leaving them alone if you can tolerate the webs. Cellar spiders are one of the most useful predators a Treasure Valley basement can host. They eat black widows, hobo spiders, and other pests we get calls about every week. Knock down the old webs with a vacuum and you remove the eyesore without losing the benefit.

Why do I have so many cellar spider webs in my garage and crawlspace?

Two reasons. First, cellar spiders never repair old webs, so layers build up year after year in any spot a broom doesn't reach. Second, Treasure Valley basements and crawlspaces hold steady humidity and a quiet food supply of small insects, which is exactly what they want. A dehumidifier set to 50 percent and a quarterly vacuum sweep cuts populations fast.

How does Green Guard handle cellar spiders during a regular service?

Our $49 initial service includes a full eave and corner web sweep, and we apply a residual perimeter treatment that keeps prey insects from feeding them. We don't aggressively target the spiders themselves because they're beneficial. Most subscribers see web buildup drop sharply after the first or second visit.