Defensive behavior, not predation
Even medically significant species like widows and recluses prefer flight to confrontation. Documented bites are nearly always defensive, not offensive.
References
- [1]Spider Myths - Burke Museum, University of Washington. Accessed June 2026.
Related in FAQ
- What spider is in my house?The most common indoor spiders in North America are cellar spiders, common house spiders (Parasteatoda tepidariorum), and in the Pacific Northwest, giant house spiders..
- Should I kill spiders I find in my house?For most species the practical answer is no: indoor spiders consume other pest arthropods.
- How do I know if I was actually bitten by a spider?You almost certainly do not, unless you saw the spider bite you.
- I found a spider in my bed - is that a problem?Spiders do not seek out beds or sleeping people.
- How can I tell if a spider is a brown recluse?Diagnosis rests on three combined features: six eyes arranged in three pairs (dyads), a uniformly colored abdomen with no pattern, and legs that are also uniform with no banding or spines.
- Is it normal to have spiders in my basement?Yes.