Black house spiders are some of the most common visitors inside our homes. With their dark colors and sudden appearances in corners, walls, or bathrooms, they often raise concern, especially when you don’t know which species you’re dealing with. While some black spiders are completely harmless, others can cause mild to serious reactions if disturbed.
Here, I’ll walk you through 10 different types of black house spiders, helping you identify them by their appearance, web style, and where they’re most likely to hide. Whether you’re dealing with a tiny fuzzy spider or a large web-builder, knowing what you’re looking at can make all the difference.
1. Black House Spider (Badumna insignis)
The Black House Spider is a common black spider that people often see in homes, sheds, and gardens. It is native to Australia but has also been spotted in the USA and other parts of the world. This spider builds thick, messy webs in quiet corners and doesn’t move around much. While its dark appearance might look scary, the black house spider is not considered highly dangerous to humans.
Appearance
The black house spider has a dark brown to black body with a velvety texture. Its legs are dark and sometimes slightly hairy. The abdomen is large and round, often with dull gray markings. Female spiders are larger than males and can grow up to 18mm long, while males are much smaller and thinner.
Habitat and Web
Black house spiders like dry, sheltered areas. You’ll often find their webs in window frames, wall crevices, under outdoor furniture, or inside garages and sheds. They build a messy-looking web with a small tunnel where they hide. This spider rarely leaves its web and waits for insects like flies and moths to get trapped.
In the USA, they are more common in warmer states like Texas, Florida, and California, especially around outdoor lights where bugs gather.
Bite and Poison
Many people ask, is the black house spider poisonous? The answer is yes, but not deadly. A black house spider bite can be painful and cause redness or swelling, but it’s usually not serious. Most bites happen when someone accidentally touches or disturbs the web. Symptoms may include:
- Local pain and redness
- Swelling around the bite
- Headache or nausea in rare cases
If bitten, it’s best to clean the area and use ice to reduce swelling. Seek medical help if symptoms get worse.
Black House Spider Identification
Here’s how you can identify a black house spider:
- Color: Dark brown to black with a velvety body
- Size: Females up to 18mm; males smaller
- Markings: Grayish spots or patterns on the abdomen
- Web: Messy, sheet-like web with a funnel or tunnel
- Location: Window corners, walls, sheds, under outdoor furniture
- Behavior: Shy and hides inside web
- Regions Found: Australia, USA (California, Florida, Texas)
2. Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
The Common House Spider is one of the most frequently seen black or dark brown spiders in homes. They are often small or tiny, so people usually notice them only when they see their webs. These spiders are not aggressive and are mostly harmless. You might spot them in the corners of rooms, basements, closets, or behind furniture.
Appearance
This spider has a round abdomen and long, thin legs. The color can range from light brown to nearly black, depending on the lighting and age. Some even have faint markings on their back. Males are smaller and thinner than females.
Habitat and Web
Common house spiders build messy, cobweb-like webs in undisturbed corners of ceilings, windows, or under tables. These webs are not sticky, but they are strong enough to trap flying insects. The spider usually hides in a corner of the web and comes out when it feels movement.
People often find these tiny black spiders in the house, especially in places where bugs gather—like near lights or windows.
Bite and Danger
The bite of a common house spider is very mild and usually harmless. It may cause a little itching or redness, but most people don’t even feel it. They are not poisonous in a dangerous way. However, if someone is allergic, they might need basic treatment like antihistamines or a doctor visit.
Common Black House Spider Identification
To identify a common house spider, look for:
- Color: Dark brown or black, sometimes with faint markings
- Size: Small; body is about 5–8 mm
- Legs: Long and thin
- Web: Messy cobweb in corners or near windows
- Location: Ceilings, closets, behind furniture, basements
- Behavior: Hides in web and waits for insects
- Found In: Homes across North America and other regions
- Danger Level: Not dangerous; bite is mild
3. False Black Widow (Steatoda grossa)
The False Black Widow is another type of black house spider that is often mistaken for the more dangerous true black widow. It has a shiny dark body and loves to live indoors, especially in quiet, hidden places. This spider is found in many parts of the world, including the USA, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Even though it looks scary, it is not highly dangerous to humans.
Appearance
This black spider has a smooth, shiny, dark brown to black body. It usually has no red markings like the true black widow, but sometimes light lines or pale patterns appear on its abdomen. Females are larger and have a rounder body, while males are smaller and thinner.
Habitat and Web
The False Black Widow often builds its web in places like closets, behind shelves, under furniture, garages, and wall cracks. Its web is messy and made of strong silk. It prefers dry, quiet areas where it won’t be disturbed. Since it stays low to the ground, people often find it in storage spaces or near baseboards.
This makes it one of the most common black spiders in the house, especially in older buildings or dark corners.
Bite and Poisonous Concerns
Although many worry about the black house spider bite, the bite of a False Black Widow is usually not serious. It can cause symptoms such as:
- Mild to moderate pain
- Swelling or redness
- Nausea or headache (rare)
Most people recover without medical help, but allergic reactions are possible in sensitive individuals. It’s wise to clean the bite and watch for signs of infection or discomfort.
Even though it’s a black house spider that is technically poisonous, its venom is much weaker than that of a true black widow.
Black House Spider Identification
To identify this type of black house spider, check these features:
- Color: Glossy black or dark brown
- Body: Smooth and round abdomen
- Markings: May have pale lines but no red hourglass
- Web: Messy, strong silk in hidden indoor places
- Location: Closets, garages, under furniture, behind shelves
- Behavior: Hides during the day, active at night
- Regions Found: USA, Canada, Europe, Australia
- Bite Danger: Mild symptoms; not deadly
4. Southern House Spider (Kukulcania hibernalis)
The Southern House Spider is a large black house spider that is often found in homes across the southern United States, especially in Texas, Florida, and Georgia. While it may look frightening, especially the male, this spider is not dangerous to humans.
It is one of the black house spiders that people often confuse with the brown recluse because of its color and body shape, but it’s harmless.
Appearance
Male Southern House Spiders are dark brown to black, slim, and fast-moving. Females are much larger, heavier, and covered in dark gray or blackish hairs. Both have long legs and a body shape that gives them a creepy look, but they don’t bite unless handled.
Habitat and Web
This spider lives in cracks, gaps in bricks, and under eaves or roof tiles. Inside the house, it hides behind furniture, in attics, basements, or ceiling corners. Its web is thin and often hard to notice. It hunts mostly at night and may roam around the house looking for food.
If you’ve ever seen a big black spider in your house running across the wall, it might have been this one.
Bite and Danger Level
Many wonder, are black house spiders dangerous? In this case, no. The Southern House Spider may look threatening, but it rarely bites. If it does, the bite is not harmful and may cause only slight irritation. It’s a harmless black house spider that helps control insect pests.
Black House Spider Identification
- Color: Dark brown to black
- Size: Large, up to 2 inches with legs
- Body: Long legs, males thin; females bulky
- Web: Thin, not always visible
- Location: Walls, corners, attics, under eaves
- Behavior: Roams at night; hides during day
- Regions Found: Texas, Florida, Georgia, Southern USA
- Bite Risk: Harmless to humans
5. Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax)
The Bold Jumping Spider is a small black house spider that’s easy to spot because of its bold movements and shiny black body. It’s common in both homes and gardens, especially near windows or indoor plants where it can hunt tiny bugs.
This is another type of black house spider that may look scary but is actually helpful and not dangerous.
Appearance
This spider has a black, shiny body with white or orange spots on its back. It also has green or blue metallic mouthparts (called chelicerae). It’s short and stout with thick legs and big front eyes that help it see well. It’s one of the fuzzy black house spiders many people notice because of its cute look and quick movements.
Habitat and Behavior
Unlike web-building spiders, Bold Jumping Spiders don’t make large webs. They live in small silk nests in corners, behind furniture, or near sunny windows. They’re active hunters and often jump from place to place while chasing bugs. You may see them on walls, shelves, or curtains during the day.
It’s common to find these tiny black spiders in the house, especially if your home has insects they like to hunt.
Bite and Symptoms
These spiders rarely bite people. Even if they do, the bite is not serious. It may feel like a small pinch and cause minor swelling or itching. Bold Jumping Spiders are not poisonous to humans and are considered safe.
Black House Spider Identification
- Color: Black with white or orange spots
- Size: Small; about 10–15mm
- Special Features: Metallic green/blue mouthparts, thick front legs
- Web: No big web; builds small silk nests
- Location: Windowsills, curtains, indoor plants
- Behavior: Jumps quickly, hunts during the day
- Regions Found: All over USA and Canada
- Bite Danger: Harmless and rare
6. Black Lace-Weaver (Amaurobius ferox)
The Black Lace-Weaver is a medium to large black house spider often found inside homes in North America and Europe. It is one of the black and brown house spiders that likes to live in quiet, dark places such as basements, garages, and under window sills. Though its name might sound gentle, its appearance is quite dark and strong.
This is a common black spider in the house, especially in areas with old bricks or wooden structures.
Appearance
The body of the Black Lace-Weaver is dark brown to black with a slightly shiny back. Its legs are reddish-brown or dark brown. You may also notice pale markings or patterns on the abdomen. It has a strong build and looks hairy, especially on the legs.
Habitat and Web
This spider prefers cool and shaded places. It builds lace-like webs that look fine and delicate — often seen between bricks, wood, or stones. Inside houses, it hides in corners, behind furniture, or under steps and doorways.
You may find this black spider in the house near basements, storage rooms, or floor cracks.
Bite and Danger Level
The black house spider bite from a lace-weaver is rare and not dangerous. If it bites, the area may turn red or swell slightly, but most people don’t feel much pain. It is not a poisonous black house spider to worry about. Still, avoid handling it directly.
Black House Spider Identification
- Color: Dark brown to black body
- Size: Around 10–15 mm
- Markings: Pale or cream-colored patterns on the abdomen
- Legs: Hairy, dark brown
- Web: Fine lace-like web
- Location: Basements, cracks, window edges, behind walls
- Behavior: Hides during the day; active at night
- Regions Found: North America, Europe
- Bite Risk: Not dangerous
7. Mouse Spider (Female) (Missulena spp.)
The female Mouse Spider is one of the largest black house spiders and has a strong, shiny black body. While mostly found outdoors in Australia, it may wander into houses looking for shelter, especially during heat or rain.
This spider is often mistaken for a funnel-web due to its glossy body, and while it is one of the black house spiders that can bite, serious cases are rare.
Appearance
Female mouse spiders are large, shiny, and deep black. Their body is smooth, and the head is broad. Unlike males, which may have red markings, females are completely black. They have powerful jaws and thick legs.
Habitat and Behavior
These spiders usually live in burrows with trapdoors in gardens or under logs. However, during certain seasons, they may accidentally enter houses, especially in Australia. Indoors, they may hide under rugs, furniture, or in laundry piles.
Due to their size and bold look, they are often called giant black house spiders, although they are not regular indoor spiders.
Bite and Poison Concerns
Yes, mouse spiders are technically poisonous, and their bite can be serious. But bites are rare, and most cases are not dangerous. If bitten, symptoms might include:
- Sharp pain
- Numbness
- Sweating
- Headache or muscle cramps in some cases
Seek medical help if you suspect a mouse spider bite, especially in Australia.
Black House Spider Identification
- Color: Glossy black (females)
- Size: Large, body up to 25mm
- Body: Smooth, wide head and thick legs
- Web: Lives in burrows; may wander indoors
- Location: Mostly in Australia, rarely in homes
- Behavior: Hides in dark places; not aggressive
- Regions Found: Australia
- Bite Risk: Can be serious; seek help if bitten
8. Trapdoor Spider (Black Variant)
The Trapdoor Spider is a large black house spider that usually lives outdoors, but sometimes ends up inside homes, especially in Texas, Florida, or other warm regions. It’s known for living underground in burrows with a “trapdoor” made from soil and silk. Though it is not a true house spider, it can occasionally be seen inside when looking for food or shelter.
This spider is one of the black house spiders that looks scary but isn’t aggressive.
Appearance
Trapdoor spiders are thick, black, and shiny. Their body is strong and heavy, with short legs and large jaws. Their size can reach up to 30 mm. They are often mistaken for small tarantulas due to their bulky look.
Habitat and Web
Trapdoor spiders build hidden tunnels in the ground with a silk-lined door. Inside homes, they may hide under carpets, behind boxes, or near baseboards. They are not web builders indoors but may enter when it’s raining or too hot outside. In the USA, they are more common in Texas and southern states.
Bite and Danger Level
People often ask, are black house spiders dangerous? With trapdoor spiders, the bite is not usually serious. While their large jaws can hurt, the venom is not deadly. Symptoms may include pain, slight swelling, or numbness.
They are shy and bite only if threatened.
Black House Spider Identification
- Color: Deep black, shiny body
- Size: Large; up to 30 mm
- Build: Thick legs, large fangs, heavy body
- Web: No indoor web; lives in underground burrows
- Location: Enters homes near gardens or lawns
- Regions Found: Texas, Florida, warm climates
- Behavior: Shy, comes indoors by accident
- Bite Risk: Painful but not dangerous
9. Cellar Spider (Dark Morph)
Cellar Spiders, sometimes known as “Daddy Long Legs,” are often light-colored, but some dark morphs appear gray or even black. These tiny black house spiders are very common in basements, bathrooms, and ceiling corners. They are thin, gentle, and harmless.
Even though they may not be completely black, many people mistake these black-looking house spiders for more dangerous species.
Appearance
Dark cellar spiders have small, oval bodies and very long, thin legs. The body may appear grayish-black, especially in dim light. Their legs can be several times longer than their body. They’re easy to spot hanging upside down in webs.
Habitat and Web
These spiders love damp, dark areas like cellars, basements, garages, and even bathrooms. They build loose, tangled webs in corners or ceilings. You’ll often find several in the same area, especially in homes with little light.
These are one of the most common tiny black spiders in the house.
Bite and Danger Level
Cellar spiders are not dangerous. Their bite cannot harm humans. In fact, their small fangs often can’t even pierce human skin. They are completely harmless and help control other insects.
Black House Spider Identification
- Color: Pale gray to dark gray/black
- Size: Tiny body; long legs
- Web: Loose, messy webs in ceiling corners
- Location: Bathrooms, basements, under sinks
- Behavior: Hangs upside down in web
- Regions Found: Worldwide
- Bite Risk: Harmless to humans
10. Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans)
The Black Widow is one of the most famous and feared black house spiders, known for its shiny black body and red hourglass marking on the underside. It is found in the USA, especially in California, Texas, and Florida, often in garages, woodpiles, sheds, or dark corners of houses.
Although it is the most poisonous black house spider on this list, it only bites in self-defense and rarely causes death.
Appearance
The Black Widow has a smooth, shiny black body and a round abdomen. The female is more dangerous and has the bright red hourglass shape underneath her belly. Males are smaller and lighter in color. The overall body is about 10–13 mm long.
Habitat and Web
Black widows build irregular, messy webs in hidden or quiet places. These webs are very strong and often found in garages, closets, under stairs, or outside around old furniture and woodpiles. They stay in dark, undisturbed areas and wait for prey to enter their web.
This is the most dangerous black spider in the house and should be handled with caution.
Bite and Symptoms
A black house spider bite from a Black Widow can cause serious health problems, especially in children or elderly people. Symptoms may include:
- Sharp pain at the bite site
- Muscle cramps or stiffness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating or chills
Seek medical help immediately if bitten. Antivenom is available in serious cases.
Black House Spider Identification
- Color: Glossy black with red hourglass marking
- Size: Around 10–13 mm
- Markings: Red hourglass on underside of abdomen
- Web: Messy, strong web in dark corners
- Location: Garages, sheds, under furniture, outdoor woodpiles
- Behavior: Shy but highly venomous
- Regions Found: USA (California, Texas, Florida), parts of Canada
- Bite Risk: Very dangerous; seek help immediately
10 Types of Black House Spiders
Here’s a quick overview of the 10 black house spiders we discussed:
| # | Spider Name | Found In | Danger Level |
| 1 | Black House Spider (Badumna insignis) | Australia, USA | Mild bite, not deadly |
| 2 | Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) | Worldwide | Harmless |
| 3 | False Black Widow (Steatoda grossa) | USA, Canada, Europe | Mild symptoms |
| 4 | Southern House Spider (Kukulcania hibernalis) | Southern USA (Texas, Florida) | Not dangerous |
| 5 | Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax) | North America | Harmless |
| 6 | Black Lace-Weaver (Amaurobius ferox) | North America, Europe | Harmless |
| 7 | Mouse Spider (Female) (Missulena spp.) | Australia | Can be serious |
| 8 | Trapdoor Spider (Black Variant) | USA (Texas, Florida) | Not dangerous |
| 9 | Cellar Spider (Dark Morph) (Pholcidae) | Worldwide | Harmless |
| 10 | Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans) | USA (California, Texas, Florida) | Highly dangerous |
FAQ About Black House Spiders
1. Are black house spiders poisonous?
Yes, some black house spiders are technically poisonous, but most are not dangerous to humans. For example, the False Black Widow and Black House Spider (Badumna insignis) can bite and cause mild symptoms like pain or swelling, but these are usually not serious. Only the Black Widow Spider has venom strong enough to require medical attention.
2. What do black house spiders eat?
Black house spiders mostly eat small insects like flies, mosquitoes, moths, and ants. They catch their prey using sticky or messy webs built in quiet corners of your house. These spiders actually help reduce indoor pests.
3. Are black house spiders dangerous to humans?
Most black house spiders are not dangerous. While they may bite if provoked, their venom is mild and usually causes only slight discomfort. The only exception is the Black Widow, which can be dangerous and needs quick medical attention if a bite occurs.
4. How can I identify a black house spider?
You can identify a black house spider by these signs:
- Color: Usually black or dark brown
- Size: Ranges from tiny to large (5–30 mm)
- Web: Messy, cobweb-like or funnel-shaped in corners
- Location: Often found in windows, basements, attics, or under furniture
If unsure, always compare with photos or consult a pest expert.
