Victorian House Spiders: Identification, Control & Prevention Tips

Unveiling the Victorian House Spider: A Comprehensive Guide

The Victorian house spider, also known as the cupboard spider, is a common sight in homes across the UK and Europe. This eight-legged resident is often met with mixed reactions, but understanding its habits and characteristics can help us coexist peacefully. Let's delve into the world of these fascinating arachnids.

Identifying the Victorian House Spider

Before we discuss their habits, it's crucial to identify these spiders correctly. Victorian house spiders are medium to large-sized, with females growing up to 12mm and males up to 7mm. They have a distinctively dark, almost black, cephalothorax (the front part of the body) and a lighter, cream-colored abdomen with dark stripes. Their legs are a reddish-brown color.

• Dark, almost black, cephalothorax
• Light, cream-colored abdomen with dark stripes
• Reddish-brown legs
• Males smaller than females

Habitat and Webbing

As their name suggests, Victorian house spiders prefer to make their homes indoors. They are often found in quiet, undisturbed areas like attics, lofts, and garages. They spin messy, tangled webs to catch their prey, which mainly consists of flies, moths, and other small insects.

These webs are typically found in corners, behind furniture, or in other hard-to-reach places. Unlike some other spider species, Victorian house spiders do not actively hunt their prey. Instead, they wait for insects to become entangled in their webs and then wrap them in silk before consuming them.

Lifespan and Reproduction

The lifespan of a Victorian house spider is relatively short, with females living for around two years and males for about a year. During this time, they reproduce once a year, with the female laying around 250 eggs in a silken sac, which she then suspends in her web.

After about three weeks, the spiderlings hatch and disperse, often ballooning on strands of silk to new locations. This is a fascinating process where the young spiders release a strand of silk and are carried away by the wind, allowing them to colonize new areas.

Are Victorian House Spiders Dangerous?

Despite their size and the fear they may inspire, Victorian house spiders are generally harmless to humans. They are not aggressive and will only bite as a last resort if they feel threatened. Their venom is not dangerous to humans, and their fangs are too small to break human skin.

However, it's always a good idea to avoid handling spiders if you're not comfortable with them. If you do find a spider in your home and want to remove it, there are humane ways to do so, such as using a glass and piece of paper to catch it and then releasing it outside.

Controlling Victorian House Spiders

While Victorian house spiders play an essential role in controlling insect populations in our homes, some people may still want to control their numbers. The best way to do this is to make your home less attractive to them.

Sealing entry points is the most effective way to prevent spiders from entering your home. Regular cleaning can also help, as spiders prefer quiet, undisturbed areas. Natural repellents like peppermint oil can be used, but their effectiveness is limited.

If you do decide to use pesticides, it's essential to choose one that is safe for the environment and non-toxic to other animals. Always follow the instructions on the label carefully.