Cellar Spider (Daddy Long Legs)
Pholcidae
Are cellar spiders (daddy long legs) dangerous, and how do I get rid of them in a Southern California home?
Cellar spiders are harmless to people, but their loose, messy webs in garages, basements, and dark corners are a nuisance. To reduce them, lower indoor humidity with a dehumidifier, ventilate garages and attics, seal foundation cracks, and regularly clear webs from corners. Because they gather wherever moisture and small insects thrive, a licensed technician can remove the webs, treat dark harborages, and address the underlying moisture and insect activity drawing them in.
What are Cellar Spider (Daddy Long Legs)?
Cellar spiders are often found in dark, damp areas. They have a unique habit of vibrating their webs rapidly when disturbed to blur their outline and confuse predators.
Key Takeaways
- Cellar spiders, often called daddy long legs, have extremely long, thin legs and a small, pale, peanut-shaped body, and they spin loose, irregular webs in dark corners.
- They are harmless to humans and do not pose a bite or disease risk; the real issue is the messy webbing and the large numbers they gather in.
- In Southern California they are drawn to high-humidity spaces like garages, basements, and attics, and to the small insects that breed in those damp areas.
- Warning signs are loose, tangled webs in ceiling corners and along baseboards, plus the spiders' habit of rapidly vibrating their web when disturbed.
- Lasting control is environmental: reduce moisture, improve ventilation, seal cracks, and remove the secondary insects they feed on rather than relying on spray alone.
Identification & Signs
- Extremely long, thin legs
- Small, pale body (cylindrical or peanut-shaped)
- Loose, irregular webbing
- Found in garages, basements, and dark corners
Why are they a problem?
They are attracted to high-humidity environments and the small insects that thrive there. They often gather in large numbers in quiet, dark spaces.
Prevention and Home Tips
Reduce indoor humidity with dehumidifiers
Keep garages and attics well-ventilated
Seal cracks in the foundation
Clean corners and dark spots regularly
How Xtermicon Treats for Cellar Spider (Daddy Long Legs)
Controlling cellar spiders involves addressing the environment that allows them to thrive — specifically high-humidity areas and the availability of secondary food sources. Our approach starts with a comprehensive web removal to clean up the messy, loose webs these spiders are known for. We then apply a targeted treatment to corners, garages, and other dark harborages to disrupt their habitat. Additionally, your technician will assess for moisture issues or other pest activity that may be attracting the spiders, providing a long-term solution that focuses on both removal and environmental management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cellar spiders (daddy long legs) poisonous or dangerous to people and pets?
No. Cellar spiders are harmless to humans and pets. Despite a popular myth, there is no credible evidence they have uniquely potent venom, and they are not considered a medical threat. The real downside is purely a nuisance one: their loose, irregular webs accumulate quickly in corners, garages, and basements and look untidy. If you would rather not share your space with them, control focuses on cleanup and moisture rather than any health concern.
Why do I have so many cellar spiders in my garage and basement?
Cellar spiders are attracted to high-humidity environments and the small insects that thrive there, and they often gather in large numbers in quiet, dark, undisturbed spaces. Garages, basements, attics, and shadowed corners offer exactly that combination of dampness, low traffic, and a steady supply of prey. In Southern California, poor ventilation and moisture issues are the usual draw, so reducing humidity and clearing the insects they feed on makes a space far less inviting.
Should I remove cellar spiders myself or hire a professional?
Light infestations can often be managed yourself by knocking down webs, running a dehumidifier, ventilating garages and attics, and sealing foundation cracks. If they keep returning in large numbers, a licensed technician adds more lasting control: a comprehensive web removal, targeted treatment of dark harborages and corners, and an assessment of the moisture problems or secondary pest activity attracting them. Because these conditions recur, many Southern California homes stay clearest on a recurring service plan.
Insights about Cellar Spider (Daddy Long Legs)
Specialists you
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Xtermicon was founded in 2015 with one focus: protect Southern California homes and businesses from the pests that threaten them. The name says it all — eXterminate TERmites & pest CONtrol — and that's exactly what we do. We're a family-owned team specializing in termite control, pest control, and rodent exclusion. From West LA and East LA to the beach cities and Orange County, we're local neighbors who treat your property like our own.