Up to 3/4-inch in body
length, with an extremely thin
shape. Pale yellowish, light brown or grey. Their extremely long legs
make
these spiders appear much larger and give them their nickname of “daddy
long
legs”.
Habitat
Cellar spiders prefer dark, damp
areas such as crawl
spaces, basements and shed, although they may be found around doorways,
in
warehouses and sometimes in garages of homes. They hang upside down in
their
webs. When disturbed, they shake their web violently. They are not
dangerous
and are actually quite helpful in that they have been known to capture
and eat
other spiders, including black widows and brown recluses.
Diet
Like all spiders, cellar spiders will
kill and eat
almost any insect.
Spider control: cellar
spiders
Spider control efforts should include regular removal
of cellar spiders with a vacuum, brush or broom helps limit their
numbers. Seal
cracks and holes in your home’s exterior and install tight-fitting
screens in
foundation and attic vents. In cases involving considerable numbers of
spiders,
a spider control professional should
be consulted.
