
Community identification
Common House Spider
Parasteatoda tepidariorum
- Order & Family
- Araneae: Theridiidae
- Size
- 3 to 8 mm (females are larger than males)
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in and around human structures, typically in corners, under furniture, or in garages and sheds.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; feeds primarily on small insects and other spiders caught in its tangled web.
Behavior Patterns
They are known for building messy, tangled, three-dimensional webs. They are generally sedentary and wait for prey to become entangled before wrapping it in silk.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits the ecosystem by controlling indoor pests like flies and mosquitoes. They are not considered medically significant to humans, although a bite can cause minor swelling and redness.