The Brown House Spider
The brown house spider is one of the most common types of spiders and it is typically characterized by long thin legs and light brown to reddish hue. Its scientific name is Steatoda Grossa and it typically describes various species of house spiders. The typical brown house spider is known by several names including the following brown house spider, the false black widow, the dark comb footed spider, and the cupboard spider.
Are brown spiders a threat?
When people hear of the brown house spider they typically remember its other name which is the false black widow. The brown spider and black widow have a lot of similarities which is why they are confused for each other. For example, they both suspend themselves upside down and both are nocturnal. However, the black widow is a venomous spider that while it looks like the house spider, it has a distinct red color right in the middle of its back which identifies it. The brown house spider is very much a nuisance and less of a threat.
Having said that they have been known to bite when they are trapped against your skin. Their bite is similar to a black widow’s bite but the effect is much more mild and manageable with first aid. It is very rare for these spiders to bite and even more rare for them to cause an anaphylactic shock reaction. These spiders are more of a threat to its prey which includes small insects, spiders and bugs. The females can live for six years while the male has a shorter life span of up to a year.
How do you get a brown spider infestation?
Brown house spiders are known to enter the house through cracks in the windows, foundation, doors, and holes in the floor. They love to live indoors where they are safe from predators and will hide under appliances and in the cupboard. In the house they will find food and shelter giving them a safe place to mate and reproduce.
You can tell that you have a brown spider infestation by sighting dead prey, many webs and their cocooned egg sacs. When the female lays eggs it can produce an egg sac that contains 10 to 250 eggs. Before their eggs become adults they go through two molts which happen within the egg sac.
Origins of brown house spiders
These spiders are originally from Europe but they have been moved around so much by man that they are now available worldwide. They are widely distributed around the western and southern states. You can keep them out of your home by sealing the gaps and cracks that provide an in into the house. In case of an infestation, calling a pest technician is your best option.
