Nov 15, 2019 | Pest Control
By Anna V., Editorial Lead — Pest Education · Last updated: April 2026
If you’ve ever walked into the garage, looked up at a ceiling corner, and spotted a tiny body with eight ridiculously long, thread-thin legs, you’ve almost certainly met a granddaddy long legs. At Northwest, we get asked about these spiders constantly, usually paired with the same two questions: Are they dangerous? and Why are there so many of them in my house? The answers are reassuring. Granddaddy long legs are among the most misunderstood pests in Georgia and the Southeast. They’re almost entirely harmless to people and pets, and they quietly eat a surprising number of the pests you actually do want gone.
Here’s what a granddaddy long legs actually is, why the name causes so much confusion, whether any version of the creature is dangerous, and how to handle them around the house.
The cellar spider is the most common “granddaddy long legs” you’ll see indoors in the Southeast.
What Is a Granddaddy Long Legs?
Here’s the part that surprises most people: “granddaddy long legs” isn’t one creature. It’s a regional nickname that gets applied to three very different animals. Knowing which one you’re looking at clears up most of the confusion.
1. Cellar Spiders (Family Pholcidae)
This is the one you almost certainly have in your home. Small slender body, eight legs that can span two or three inches, builds messy tangled webs in corners of basements, garages, attics, and crawl spaces. True spider, produces silk, produces a mild venom for hunting prey (not a threat to humans). In the Southeast, when someone says “granddaddy long legs,” this is the one they mean about 90% of the time.
2. Harvestmen (Order Opiliones)
Arachnid, but not a true spider. Fused body (no visible waist between head and abdomen), eight legs, no silk, no venom. You’ll usually see them outdoors in leaf litter, on stone walls, or under logs rather than indoors. Completely harmless.
3. Crane Flies (Order Diptera)
This one isn’t a spider at all. Crane flies are insects with six legs, two wings, and a mosquito-like body. They show up around porch lights on warm evenings and look like giant mosquitoes. They don’t bite. They don’t sting. They don’t carry disease. In some regions people call them “daddy long legs” or “mosquito hawks” (though they don’t eat mosquitoes either, despite the nickname).
Why the Name “Granddaddy Long Legs” Causes Confusion
The same name for three different creatures is how a lot of the venom myths got started. Someone will say harvestmen are “the most venomous spider in the world but can’t bite you,” a claim that’s wrong on three counts: harvestmen aren’t spiders, they don’t produce venom at all, and they can’t bite anything human-sized even if they tried. The claim probably got attached to cellar spiders at some point, mixed up with harvestmen, and turned into a schoolyard urban legend that won’t die. Cellar spiders do have venom. It’s adequate for a mosquito. A human isn’t on the menu.
Granddaddy Long Legs vs Other Long-Legged Creatures
Quick visual reference for telling the three apart:
Three different creatures all called “granddaddy long legs,” and only one is actually a spider.
| Feature |
Cellar Spider (Pholcidae) |
Harvestman (Opiliones) |
Crane Fly (Diptera) |
| Classification |
True spider (arachnid) |
Arachnid (not spider) |
Insect |
| Body shape |
Small, slender, distinct segments |
Single fused body segment |
Elongated insect body with wings |
| Legs |
8, very long and thin |
8, long |
6, fragile |
| Silk / Web |
Yes, tangled corner webs |
None |
None |
| Venom |
Mild, not a threat to humans |
None |
None |
| Where you’ll see it |
Indoor corners, basements, garages |
Outdoor leaf litter, stone walls |
Around porch lights at night |
Are Granddaddy Long Legs Venomous or Dangerous?
The short answer: no. The single most persistent myth is that granddaddy long legs are the most venomous spider in the world but physically can’t bite a human. Every piece of that claim is wrong.
- Cellar spiders do produce venom for hunting prey. Studies have measured its potency, and it’s nothing special. It’s on par with a mosquito’s saliva. A human bite, which is extraordinarily rare, causes at worst a mild, brief sting.
- Harvestmen don’t produce venom at all. They have no venom glands.
- Crane flies are insects with no venom, no stinger, and no biting mouthparts capable of breaking human skin.
None of the three is a medically significant pest. If you want an authoritative second opinion, the UGA Extension guide to common household spiders has a plain-language breakdown of the cellar spider and several other species you’re likely to see in a Georgia home.
Behavior & Habitat in Southeast Homes
Cellar spiders are the version you’ll encounter inside, so the rest of this post focuses on them.
Where They Live
Ceiling corners, basement joists, attic rafters, garage doorframes, crawl-space wall cavities, sheds, behind stored boxes. Anywhere dark, undisturbed, and with a steady supply of small insects passing through.
Webs
Messy, irregular, and loosely strung. Nothing like an orb weaver’s symmetrical web. The web isn’t sticky the way other spider webs are; cellar spiders rely on shaking the web to tangle prey further once something wanders in.
When You’ll See Them
In the Southeast, indoor cellar spider sightings peak in late summer and early fall. Two things are happening: the spiders are finishing a season of breeding, and they’re following their food (flies, gnats, mosquitoes) as those insects push deeper into homes ahead of cooler nights.
What Attracts Daddy Long Legs to Your Home?
If you suddenly have a lot of cellar spiders in the garage, it’s almost always one of three things:
- Other pests are thriving. Cellar spiders eat small flies, gnats, mosquitoes, moths, and other spiders. A heavy cellar-spider population usually means you also have a heavy small-insect population somewhere nearby, often in a basement drain, a damp crawl space, or an overwatered plant tray.
- Moisture. Cellar spiders like humid environments. Damp basements, leaky plumbing, unsealed crawl spaces, and humid attics are their favorite spots.
- Undisturbed clutter. Stacked boxes, stored furniture, piled lumber, and rarely-used corners let webs go untouched for weeks. Stability is more attractive to a cellar spider than food location.
Handle those three things and the spider population drops on its own, often faster than any treatment plan can drop it.
Are Granddaddy Long Legs Useful or a Nuisance?
Useful. It’s one of the few pests we tell customers to leave alone when they find one or two. Cellar spiders actively eat other cellar spiders, which self-limits their populations. More importantly, they eat mosquitoes, fungus gnats, and the occasional pantry moth. A small cellar-spider presence in the garage is pest control doing free work.
They cross the line into nuisance when you see large numbers indoors (20 or 30 in a single room), or when the webbing becomes impossible to keep ahead of. At that point it’s less about the spiders and more about whatever they’re eating.
A vacuum and a cup beats a chemical spray for cellar spiders 99% of the time.
How to Handle Granddaddy Long Legs in Your Home
Humane Removal
A cup and piece of paper is the classic method. Slide it over the spider, slide the paper underneath, and walk it outside. If there are webs you want cleared, a vacuum hose with a brush attachment handles them fast without hurting anything. Skip the pesticide spray for one or two spiders.
Prevention Tips
- Seal foundation cracks and gaps around doors, windows, utility penetrations, and garage side doors.
- Cut clutter in basements, attics, garages, and sheds. Less stable surface area means fewer web-building sites.
- Move outdoor lights away from entry points. Bright doorway lights pull in the insects cellar spiders eat, which then pulls in more cellar spiders.
- Fix leaks, run a dehumidifier in damp rooms, and address crawl-space moisture. Dry is unattractive.
- Trim shrubs back from the foundation. A three-foot clear zone around the house reduces harborage for both spiders and their prey.
When to Call a Professional
Most cellar-spider sightings don’t need a professional. Call Northwest if:
- You’re seeing 20+ spiders in a single room, or cobwebs reappear within days of clearing.
- You’re also seeing other small insects indoors, which means there’s a food-source issue we need to find.
- The spiders are appearing in the living area (kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms) rather than just basements or garages, which often signals a moisture or entry-point issue.
- You’re uncomfortable with spider identification and want someone to confirm what you’re seeing isn’t a brown recluse or a widow.
(Not sure whether you’ve got a harmless cellar spider or something that needs attention? Request a free inspection and we’ll walk the home with you and ID what’s actually there.)
Frequently Asked Questions About Granddaddy Long Legs
Do granddaddy long legs eat mosquitoes?
Yes. Cellar spiders prey on small flying insects, including mosquitoes, gnats, moths, and even other spiders. A small cellar-spider population in a garage or basement is effectively free pest control for the kinds of insects you don’t want.
Can granddaddy long legs bite humans?
Bites are extraordinarily rare. Cellar spiders will only bite if trapped against skin, and the bite itself is mild (often compared to a mosquito sting). There’s no medical significance. Harvestmen and crane flies can’t bite humans at all.
Is a granddaddy long legs actually a spider?
It depends which one you’re looking at. Cellar spiders are true spiders. Harvestmen are arachnids but not spiders. Crane flies are insects. In the Southeast, if you see one indoors, it’s almost certainly a cellar spider.
How do you get rid of granddaddy long legs?
Humane relocation (cup and paper), vacuuming webs, sealing entry points, fixing moisture issues, and cutting clutter in storage spaces. Most homes don’t need chemical treatment for cellar spiders specifically. If populations stay high after those steps, the root cause is usually another pest issue feeding them.
Are granddaddy long legs poisonous to dogs?
No. Cellar spider venom isn’t harmful to dogs or cats. Harvestmen and crane flies don’t produce venom at all. If your dog eats one, there’s no cause for concern.
If cellar spiders keep coming back, the real issue is usually whatever else they’re eating.
Schedule a Spider Inspection Today
If cellar spiders are showing up faster than you can clear them, the problem usually isn’t the spiders. It’s whatever they’re eating. Northwest’s team handles the full workflow: identification, targeted treatment, and addressing the moisture or insect issues that draw spiders in. Most customers are surprised how much of the work happens outside the house.
About the Author
[Anna V.], Editorial Lead — Pest Education leads pest education content for Northwest Exterminating, working with senior technicians and service center managers across our Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina service areas to translate field expertise into homeowner-friendly guides. The focus: accurate, regionally-specific answers to the pest questions Southeast homeowners are actually searching for.
Sep 18, 2019 | Pest Control
As you break out your fall decorations, you may have noticed an abundance of spider webs or had a spider run across your hand; now the house must burn! WAIT – before you jump to meme-worthy conclusions, spiders do act as nature’s form of pest control; however, having them in your home is not ideal. Follow these tips to prevent spider encounters in your home so that you can enjoy hanging up fake cobwebs without stumbling upon a real one.
CLUTTER-FREE AND CAUTIOUS
- Store all belongings that are in the attic and basement in plastic containers with a lid.
- Shake clothing when removing from a clothes bin and shake shoes that have been sitting out.
SEAL THEM OUT
- Replace any damaged window screens and weather-stripping.
- Seal any existing cracks found with silicone-based caulk.
PLAY IT SAFE
- When bringing in packages that have been on the ground outside of your home, use caution as spiders may have crawled on the package, allowing transportation inside.
- Call a professional pest control company. If you think you have a spider infestation, an inspection will help with spider identification and a proper course of treatment.
Jul 19, 2019 | Pest Control
One of the most common questions that arises when a spider is found in a home is “is that spider poisonous?” That’s a trick question. Most spiders are poisonous, yet only a handful are venomous. Poisonous spiders release their toxins when they are inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the tissue or skin; in other words, they’re only harmful if you eat them. Venomous spiders, on the other hand, inject their toxin with a fang-like apparatus known as a chelicerae. These are the spiders you should be worried about and avoid contact with.
While there are more than 20 species of spiders in Georgia, there are only 2 that are known to be dangerous to humans: the black widow and the brown recluse. Like most common spiders, biting humans is a last line of defense. They are more likely to flee, hide, or even play dead rather than bite a human. It takes a long time for a spider to replenish his supply of venom after he injects it. Most will only use this defense mechanism if they have no other choice. Wasting venom on a human can even cause the spider to starve to death before his supply is replenished as he will have no means to kill any prey he catches.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the venomous spider species in Georgia, as well as some general tips to prevent spiders from getting into your home.
Black Widow
The black widow spider is considered to be the most venomous spider in North America. It is only the female black widow, however, that is dangerous to humans. Black widows are a red and black spider that is usually about 1.5 inches long with a shiny, globular abdomen and a reddish hourglass shape on its underside. While they are mostly black in color, they can sometimes be brown. The venom of a black widow spider is reportedly 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake. While black widow bites can be fatal to the young, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, most victims suffer no serious or long term damage from the bite. Black widows are not aggressive and bites commonly occur as a result of accidental contact. Common symptoms from a black widow bite include redness, swelling and tenderness at the site of the bite, muscle aches, nausea, and sometimes paralysis of the diaphragm which can cause difficulty breathing.
Brown Recluse
The brown recluse spider is also known as the violin spider or the fiddleback spider. The brown recluse is a light brown spider with a dark, violin-shaped marking on its back with the neck of the violin pointing toward the rear of the spider. They also have a very distinctive eye pattern with a semi-circular arrangement of 6 eyes (3 sets of 2) while most spider species have 8 eyes. Adult brown recluses are about the size of a quarter. They usually live outdoors under rocks, woodpiles, logs, etc. but are also well adapted to living indoors with humans. Once inside they are commonly found in attics, garages, basements, and are even known to wander into shoes, clothing, and bedding. They hunt at night and retreat to dark, secluded places in the daytime. The brown recluse is typically not aggressive and usually only bite when they are inadvertently trapped against human skin (rolling over on them in the bed or slipping your foot into a shoe they have crawled into for hiding). While bites are rare they can cause serious wounds and infections. The majority of bites remain localized, becoming red, swollen and tender at the site of the bite. If left untreated, a necrotic lesion may develop, usually accompanied by a central blister.
Prevention
Keep your garages, attics, sheds, basements, and other areas that aren’t utilized often clean and clear of clutter. Try to avoid leaving clothing and shoes on the floor and store them in plastic bins if possible. Shake out any clothing that has been left on the floor or in a hamper before wearing or washing.
Seal any cracks and crevices around your home. Spiders can get in through damaged window screens or cracks in your siding. Inspect the outside of your home seasonally and make any repairs necessary.
Inspect any items that are brought from outdoors into your home. This includes any packages delivered to your porch or steps, groceries that may be placed on the driveway or porch as you are unloading, boxes of decorations being brought in from storage, or used appliances that are bought secondhand.
Contact a licensed pest control company if you suspect you have a spider problem. A professional pest control technician can inspect the exterior and interior of your home to help identify any possible entry points, identify the type of spiders and other pests you may be having issues with, and properly, safely, and effectively treat any pest problems they may encounter.
Request a Free Estimate to Get Started.
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Mar 8, 2019 | Georgia Blogs, Pest Control
By Anna V., Editorial Lead — Pest Education · Last updated: May 2026
Georgia’s hot, humid climate is excellent for almost everything, including the dozens of spider species that live here. At Northwest, we run spider control calls year-round across our Georgia and Alabama service area, but they spike sharply from April through October as outdoor temperatures rise and spider populations boom. The good news for homeowners: the vast majority of the spiders in Georgia are harmless. Only a handful are medically significant, and even those are uncommon to encounter indoors.
Here are the 10 spiders you’re most likely to see around a Southeast home, how to identify each, which ones warrant caution, and what to do when you find one.
Most spiders in Georgia are outdoor garden spiders that quietly handle the local insect population.
Why Understanding Spiders in Georgia Matters
Spiders play an important role in controlling insect populations. The yellow garden spider you find in your shrubs eats hundreds of mosquitoes, gnats, and flies over a summer. The cellar spider in your basement is quietly catching the small flies you don’t want around. Most spiders in Georgia are doing free pest control on your behalf.
That said, two facts make spider identification matter for homeowners:
- A small number of species are medically significant. Three to four species in the Southeast can deliver bites that require medical attention. Identifying them quickly matters.
- Most “scary-looking” spiders are completely harmless. Wolf spiders, orb weavers, jumping spiders, and the famous Joro spider all look intimidating but pose no real threat. Knowing which is which prevents unnecessary panic and unnecessary pesticide use.
Georgia’s climate produces spider activity peaks in spring (April through May), late summer (August), and early fall (September through October). Most encounters are outdoors.
10 Common Spiders in Georgia
Two species require caution. The other eight are quiet helpers around Southeast homes.
1. Southern Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans)
- Status: Venomous. Bite requires medical attention.
- Appearance: Glossy black body with the distinctive red hourglass marking on the underside of the abdomen. Adult females are about 1/2 inch (legs spread to 1.5 inches). Males are much smaller and not medically significant.
- Habitat: Dark, undisturbed areas. Sheds, garages, crawl spaces, woodpiles, basement corners, under outdoor furniture. Common in rural and suburban Georgia.
- Action: If you find one in or around your home, call professional pest control. Do not attempt to capture or kill without protection. Bites cause severe muscle pain, abdominal cramping, and sometimes systemic reactions.
2. Brown Widow (Latrodectus geometricus)
- Status: Venomous, but less potent than the black widow
- Appearance: Tan to brown body with darker mottled markings. Distinctive orange hourglass marking on the underside (similar shape to black widow’s, but orange instead of red). Egg sacs have a spiky, golf-ball-like appearance.
- Habitat: Outdoor structures, under patio furniture, in eaves, around mailboxes, under flower pots. More common in suburban and urban Georgia than rural areas.
- Action: Bites are usually less severe than black widow bites but still warrant medical attention. Treat with the same caution and call professional control.
3. Wolf Spider
- Status: Non-venomous to humans (bite is mild, comparable to a bee sting at worst)
- Appearance: Large, hairy, brown to gray with darker markings. Body can be 1 to 2 inches with a 3-inch leg span. Eight eyes arranged in three rows.
- Habitat: Ground dwellers. They don’t build webs. They hunt. Often enter homes accidentally chasing prey. Common in basements, garages, and ground-floor rooms.
- Action: Harmless but startling. Trap with a cup and release outside.
4. Cellar Spider / Daddy Long Legs (Pholcidae)
- Status: Harmless
- Appearance: Small slender body (under 1/2 inch) with extremely long thin legs. Light tan to gray.
- Habitat: Indoor ceiling corners, basements, garages, crawl spaces. Builds messy tangled webs.
- Action: Leave them alone if you can. They eat mosquitoes, fruit flies, and other indoor pests. For a deeper dive, see our cellar spider vs daddy long legs guide.
5. Orb Weaver Spiders
- Status: Venomous to prey, harmless to humans
- Appearance: Vary widely in color and size. Many species have rounded abdomens with bright patterns (yellow, black, brown, orange). Common Georgia species include the yellow garden spider, garden orb weaver, and the spinybacked orb weaver.
- Habitat: Outdoor gardens, shrubs, between fence posts, under eaves. Builds the classic large circular web.
- Action: Leave them alone. They’re significant outdoor pest controllers. For more on whether their venom matters, see our orb weaver spider guide.
6. Jumping Spiders
- Status: Harmless
- Appearance: Small (1/4 to 3/4 inch), compact, fuzzy body. Often striking patterns and large forward-facing eyes that give them an almost cute appearance. Move in distinct jumps rather than walking smoothly.
- Habitat: Active hunters that don’t build webs. Common indoors and outdoors. Often spotted on walls, window frames, and porches during the day.
- Action: Among the most charming spiders you’ll meet. Harmless and useful.
7. Yellow Sac Spider
- Status: Mildly venomous. Bites possible but rarely serious.
- Appearance: Pale yellow to cream-colored, small (1/4 inch body). Slim legs.
- Habitat: Corners of ceilings, window sills, under loose bark, in folded leaves outdoors. Builds small silken retreats rather than full webs.
- Action: One of the few spiders that may bite without obvious provocation. Bites cause localized pain, redness, and itching that resolves in a few days. Vacuum sightings; call professionals for recurring activity.
8. Crab Spiders
- Status: Non-venomous to humans
- Appearance: Crab-like stance (front legs held out to the sides). Often brightly colored to match flowers (white, yellow, pink). Small body, usually under 1/2 inch.
- Habitat: Gardens, flowers, and shrubs. Ambush predators that wait on blooms to catch pollinators.
- Action: Beneficial outdoors. Leave them alone.
9. Hobo Spider
- Status: Low-risk venom (medical significance has been re-evaluated and downgraded in recent CDC guidance)
- Appearance: Medium-sized brown body with chevron patterns on the abdomen. Long legs. Often confused with wolf spiders.
- Habitat: Basements, dark corners, ground-level spaces. Builds funnel-shaped webs.
- Action: Less common in Georgia than in the Pacific Northwest. Treat as you would a wolf spider: trap and release, or call professionals for recurring activity.
10. Joro Spider (Trichonephila clavata) — The New Arrival
- Status: Harmless to humans and pets
- Appearance: Large, striking. Females have bright yellow and gray-blue striped legs with a yellow abdomen marked with grayish-blue lines and red markings underneath. Leg span up to 4 inches.
- Habitat: Introduced from East Asia, first confirmed in Georgia in 2014. Now established statewide. Builds huge multi-layered golden webs in trees, between buildings, on power lines, across porches.
- Action: Despite their alarming size, Joros are docile and rarely bite. Their fangs are too small to penetrate most human skin. They’re effective predators of other pest insects. Most Georgia residents have started simply leaving them alone.
Venomous vs Harmless Spiders in Georgia
Of the 10 species above, only two are considered medically significant in the Southeast:
- Southern Black Widow: severe neurotoxic venom. Bites require medical attention.
- Brown Widow: less potent than black widow but still warrants medical attention.
Two more deliver bites that can cause discomfort but rarely require medical care:
- Yellow Sac Spider: mild localized reaction.
- Hobo Spider: low-risk; previously thought to be more medically significant.
The other six species are functionally harmless to humans.
What to Do If You’re Bitten
For any suspected spider bite:
- Wash the bite area with soap and warm water.
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed.
- Watch for severe symptoms: rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, fever, muscle cramping, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, or any systemic reaction.
- Seek medical attention immediately for any severe symptoms or for any bite from a confirmed widow species.
If possible (and only if safe), capture or photograph the spider for identification. Medical providers handle treatment differently depending on the species.
Spider Identification Tips
Three quick markers help with on-the-spot identification:
- Size and color: Note the body size (excluding legs), overall color, and any distinctive markings (hourglasses, stripes, bright patches).
- Web type: A circular symmetrical web means orb weaver. A messy tangled corner web means cellar spider. A funnel-shaped web means hobo spider or grass spider. No web at all (spider on the floor or wall) often means wolf spider, jumping spider, or one of the widow species (which build messy three-dimensional cobwebs in hidden spots).
- Behavior: Fast movement on the ground suggests wolf spider. Quick jumps suggest jumping spider. Sitting motionless on a flower suggests crab spider. Hanging upside down in a corner web suggests cellar spider.
For authoritative species identification, UGA Extension’s guide to insect and arthropod pests of southeastern neighborhoods covers the common spider species in our region in detail.
How to Prevent Spiders in Your Georgia Home
Spider prevention is straightforward and overlaps with prevention for the insects spiders eat (which is the underlying reason spiders show up in the first place).
Spider prevention is mostly about sealing entry points and reducing the indoor insect population that draws them.
- Sanitation. Remove indoor clutter, especially in basements, attics, garages, and storage spaces. Spiders need stable hiding places.
- Seal entry points. Caulk foundation cracks, install or replace door sweeps and weatherstripping, screen crawl space vents with 1/4-inch hardware cloth, seal gaps around utility line penetrations.
- Yard maintenance. Trim shrubs and tree branches back from the foundation. Remove leaf litter, woodpiles, and debris within 20 feet of the house. Outdoor harborages give spider populations a launching pad.
- Control outdoor lighting. Bright porch lights attract flying insects, which attract spiders. Switch to yellow-tone or warm-LED bulbs to reduce insect attraction.
- Humidity control. Many indoor spiders prefer slightly damp environments. Run dehumidifiers in basements; fix leaks promptly.
For active spider prevention strategies including DIY natural methods, see our natural spider repellent guide.
When to Call Professional Spider Control
Most spider sightings in a Georgia home don’t warrant professional intervention. Call Northwest if:
- You’ve found a confirmed black widow or brown widow on the property.
- You’re seeing recurring spider sightings in living spaces (bedrooms, kitchens, kids’ rooms).
- Population appears large (visible webs in multiple rooms, multiple sightings per week).
- You’re noticing other pest activity at the same time. Spiders are usually a downstream effect of an indoor insect problem.
- Anxiety or safety concerns make a professional inspection worth the peace of mind.
Professional spider control typically combines targeted treatment at active harborage spots, exclusion work to seal entry points, and addressing the underlying insect issue that drew the spiders indoors.
(Spider activity beyond what you want to handle yourself? Schedule a free Northwest spider inspection and we’ll identify what’s around, find the entry points, and lay out a treatment plan.)
Frequently Asked Questions About Spiders in Georgia
Are spiders in Georgia dangerous?
Most are harmless. Only two species in the Southeast pose real medical risk: the Southern black widow and the brown widow. The yellow sac spider and hobo spider can deliver uncomfortable bites but rarely require medical attention. The other common spiders in Georgia (wolf, cellar, orb weaver, jumping, crab, fishing, Joro) are functionally harmless to humans.
What do spider bites look like?
Symptoms vary by species. Most bites cause mild localized redness, swelling, and itching that resolves in a few days. Black widow bites cause severe muscle pain, abdominal cramping, sweating, and sometimes systemic reactions. Brown recluse bites (uncommon in Georgia) can cause a slow-healing necrotic wound. Any bite with severe pain, rapidly spreading redness, or systemic symptoms warrants medical attention.
How common are venomous spiders in Georgia?
Black widows are present statewide but uncommon to encounter indoors. Brown widows are more common around buildings, especially in coastal and urban areas. Brown recluse spiders are rare in Georgia but not impossible (they’re more common further west). Most homeowners go years between spotting a medically significant spider.
Do spiders help control other pests?
Yes, significantly. Spiders are predators of flies, mosquitoes, gnats, moths, and other household insects. A small spider presence indoors is functionally free pest control. This is one reason most pest professionals (including ours) encourage homeowners to leave individual spiders alone when possible.
What’s the Joro spider and should I worry about it?
The Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata) is an invasive species first confirmed in Georgia in 2014. It’s now established statewide and continues to spread. Despite their alarming size (leg span up to 4 inches) and bright coloring, Joros are docile and rarely bite. Their fangs are typically too small to penetrate human skin. They’re effective predators of pest insects and aren’t considered dangerous.
Most spider problems get solved by sealing entry points and treating the insects they’re feeding on.
Ready for a Professional Spider Inspection?
If you’ve spotted a widow species, you’re seeing recurring indoor sightings, or you just want a professional to identify what’s around your home, Northwest’s team handles the full spider control workflow: species identification, exclusion, targeted treatment, and addressing the underlying insect issues that draw spiders indoors. Most spider problems clear up faster than homeowners expect.
About the Author
Anna V., Editorial Lead — Pest Education leads pest education content for Northwest Exterminating, working with senior technicians and service center managers across our Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina service areas to translate field expertise into homeowner-friendly guides. The focus: accurate, regionally-specific answers to the pest questions Southeast homeowners are actually searching for.
Oct 23, 2018 | Pest Control
Leaves are falling, the weather is prepping for a big change, and while you decorate your home for the upcoming seasonal festivities, one of the seasons most notorious creepy crawlers will try to make its way into your home, posing a significant danger to you and your family.
Once the weather starts to cool, spiders look for refuge inside your house. Brown recluse spiders will make their way into undisturbed areas of your home (attics, garages, basements, and crawl spaces). At 1/2″ in size and varying from light brown to medium brown with a dark brown violin marking on its back, brown recluse spiders are very good at adapting to living in your home and can go months without food or water.
Most spiders are harmless, but brown recluse spiders can cause very painful and sometimes severe bites. Some people are only affected slightly by the bites of brown recluse spiders, sometimes only walking away with only a small red mark. Some however, may have a severe allergic reaction will need to seek out a medical professional to identify if the bite is from a brown recluse.
Mind these points during Fall:
- When pulling out decorations for the holidays, exercise caution. Brown recluse spiders will utilize these spaces as hiding spaces.
- We say this in every blog but seal any cracks and crevices around the house. This is the best defense as this is how brown recluse spiders will enter homes.
- As proactive as we’d like to be in our home preparations, calling a pest control professional to properly identify the pests and create a treatment plan is crucial.
