Where to start
Use our trait-based identifier (body shape, color, eye pattern, web type) and confirm against the species pages. Most household sightings are harmless web-builders.
If the spider is brown with a dark violin marking on the cephalothorax and six eyes arranged in three pairs, treat it as a possible recluse and have it identified.
References
- [1]Spider Myths - Burke Museum, University of Washington. Accessed June 2026.
Related in FAQ
- Do spiders actively hunt or seek out people?No.
- 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.