Spider ID
September 9, 2016 12:13 AM Subscribe
What kind of spider is this?
Its body is about 2cm long, and it's leg span is at least 2.25". (Sorry for mixing imperial and metric.) This is the second such spider I've seen in my house, and I've never seen spiders this large in a house before. :<
Its body is about 2cm long, and it's leg span is at least 2.25". (Sorry for mixing imperial and metric.) This is the second such spider I've seen in my house, and I've never seen spiders this large in a house before. :<
Best answer: If I saw it in the UK I would assume it was a giant house spider. And according to Wikipedia they’ve been (presumably accidentally) introduced to the PNW, so it could be that.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:55 AM on September 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:55 AM on September 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
Best answer: That is totally a Giant House Spider! Congratulations; they are awesome. They eat flies and bugs and are chill little guys; people don't like them mostly for the reason that when they do move, they race across the floor and it is startling. They pose no threat, your dogs and cats can eat them, and they are easily relocated to the great outdoors if they bother you. We leave ours; every year, whichever one decides to hang out above my desk gets named Dobby the House Spider.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:38 AM on September 9, 2016 [12 favorites]
posted by DarlingBri at 1:38 AM on September 9, 2016 [12 favorites]
Best answer: Yes, Giant House Spider. That's a smallish one - the one I found on the side of my bath yesterday had a 4" leg span! Harmless enough, although a bit scary if you're not a spider fan. They're generally docile, although if you handle them roughly they will bite on rare occasions. I always trap and release. This is about the time of year (in the northern hemisphere) when they like to come indoors for the winter.
posted by pipeski at 5:32 AM on September 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by pipeski at 5:32 AM on September 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: This is about the time of year (in the northern hemisphere) when they like to come indoors for the winter.
Nay, sir! The females rarely leave their webs; the males are on the move at this time of year specifically to find mates. They'll be dead by Halloween, having shagged themselves to death.
posted by DarlingBri at 3:50 PM on September 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
Nay, sir! The females rarely leave their webs; the males are on the move at this time of year specifically to find mates. They'll be dead by Halloween, having shagged themselves to death.
posted by DarlingBri at 3:50 PM on September 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
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posted by p3t3 at 12:40 AM on September 9, 2016