False Black Widow (Cupboard Spider)

Natural Habitat

Typically found in dark, sheltered areas such as cupboards, basements, crawl spaces, and under furniture or outdoor debris.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; feeds primarily on small insects and other spiders that become trapped in its messy cobwebs.

Behavior Patterns

They are nocturnal and sedentary, spending most of their time in their webs. They have poor eyesight and rely on vibrations to detect prey. They look similar to true black widows but lack the red hourglass mark.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by controlling pest populations. While they are not aggressive, they can bite if squeezed; the bite may cause localized pain and blisters, but it is generally not medically significant for healthy humans.

Identified on: 2/6/2026