Cellar Spider vs. Daddy Long Legs: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever seen a long-legged spider skittering across your ceiling or lurking in the corners of your basement, you might have wondered: Is that a cellar spider or a daddy long legs? Despite their similar appearance, these two spiders are quite different. Let’s explore the characteristics of both cellar spiders and daddy long legs, where they’re found around your home, why it’s crucial to keep them out, and why hiring a professional for pest control is essential.

Cellar Spiders

Cellar spiders, called daddy longlegs spiders in some regions, are part of the family Pholcidae. These spiders are easily recognizable by their extremely long, delicate legs and small bodies. Cellar spiders are often found in dark, damp areas like basements, crawl spaces, and garages. They are found all over the united states.

One interesting fact about cellar spiders is their unique way of catching prey. They produce silk to create messy, cobweb-like structures where they wait for unsuspecting insects to become trapped. These spiders eat small insects, mushrooms, rotting fruit, and dead insects.

Daddy Long Legs

Contrary to popular belief, “daddy long legs” can refer to two different creatures: the cellar spider we just discussed and another arachnid called the harvestman. Harvestmen belong to the order Opiliones and are not true spiders.

They have similar long legs but differ in body structure and behavior. Harvestmen can also be found in damp environments but are more commonly seen outdoors. Customers usually report finding them in gardens and wooded areas. The daddy long legs spider does not have venom glands or fangs, so they are unable to subdue prey.

Where You’ll Find Them

Both cellar spiders and harvestmen can be found in and around your home, particularly in areas with high humidity and minimal disturbance. Cellar spiders tend to prefer indoor spaces like basements, attics, and closets. Harvestmen are more commonly spotted in outdoor habitats like gardens, shrubbery, and under rocks or logs.

Cellar spiders and harvestmen are often mistaken for crane flies. Crane flies are similair to an oversized male mosquito, and they have wings.

Why Keep Them Out

Cellar spiders and harvestmen are not harmful to humans, but they can be annoying if their numbers increase too much. If you have many spiders in your home, it may indicate a bug issue because spiders consume bugs.

Having a large number of spiders could be a sign that there are also many bugs present. Spiders feed on bugs, so their presence could indicate an abundance of insects in your home. Additionally, cellar spiders’ messy webs can make your home look unkempt and may collect dust and debris over time.

The Importance of Professional Pest Control

If you notice many cellar spiders or harvestmen in your home, it’s crucial to address the pest issue immediately. This can prevent the problem from getting worse. Taking action promptly can help keep your home free of these pests. Don’t wait to deal with the issue if you see a large number of these insects.

While DIY methods like vacuuming or using insecticides may provide temporary relief, they often fail to eliminate the root cause of the infestation. Professional pest control services have the knowledge, experience, and tools necessary to identify and eradicate pests effectively. They can also provide ongoing maintenance to prevent future infestations.

Potential Damage

While cellar spiders and harvestmen themselves are not harmful, their presence in your home can indicate other pest issues that may cause damage. For example, cellar spiders often prey on smaller insects like mosquitoes, flies, and ants. If these insects are thriving in your home, they may cause damage to food supplies, wooden structures, and electrical wiring.

Spider webs near heat sources like light fixtures or electrical outlets can be dangerous because they can start a fire. Having too many spider webs in these areas increases the risk of a fire starting. Regularly checking and removing any spider webs near heat sources is important to prevent potential hazards.

Dangers of Having Spiders in Your Home

While most spiders are harmless to humans, some species can deliver venomous bites that may cause mild to severe reactions. Although cellar spiders and harvestmen are not known to bite humans, other spiders commonly found in homes, such as black widows and brown recluses, can pose a danger, especially to children and pets. By addressing pest issues promptly and thoroughly, you can reduce the risk of encountering venomous spiders in your home.

Cellar spiders and daddy long legs may look similar, but they belong to different families. They also have different behaviors and habitats. In summary, despite their resemblance, these two arachnids are distinct in various ways.

These spiders are not harmful to humans. However, finding them in your home could indicate other pest issues. It is important to address these problems. Get help from a pest control service to keep your home pest-free and prevent damage.

If you have spiders or pests in your home, contact Rodent Solutions for help with pest control.