Cellar Spider

Natural Habitat

Commonly found indoors in basements, cellars, attics, garages, and other undisturbed, dark, and damp locations; also found in sheltered outdoor areas.

Diet & Feeding

Mainly feeds on other insects and spiders. They are known to hunt and kill other spiders, including those larger and more venomous than themselves (e.g., hobo spiders, redback spiders, and even black widows).

Behavior Patterns

Cellar spiders build messy, irregular webs in corners and undisturbed areas. They are known to vibrate rapidly in their webs when disturbed, an action thought to deter predators. They are relatively docile towards humans.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans. Their fangs are too small to easily penetrate human skin, and their venom is not considered medically significant. They are beneficial as they prey on other household pests, including bothersome insects and more dangerous spiders.

Identified on: 11/4/2025