In fact, they are more likely to be beneficial as natural pest controllers in your home. These spiders are harmless to humans and are not known to be venomous. This behavior, called "vibrational mimicry," helps protect them from potential threats.
One fascinating aspect of cellar spiders is their remarkable ability to vibrate rapidly when threatened, causing their bodies to blur and making it difficult for predators to see them clearly. Despite their delicate appearance, cellar spiders are skilled predators and can be beneficial in controlling insect populations in and around homes. They are adept hunters, capturing prey such as flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects by using their silk to ensnare them. Cellar spiders are known for their habit of hanging upside down in irregular, messy webs. These spiders are characterized by their distinctive, elongated bodies and extremely long, thin legs.
Cellar spiders are found in various regions around the world and have adapted to a variety of environments, but they are often associated with dark, secluded places such as basements, caves, and, as their common name suggests, cellars. They are small to medium-sized spiders, typically ranging from 2 to 10 mm in body length, with leg spans that can exceed several inches. Cellar spiders, scientifically known as Pholcidae, belong to the family of arachnids and are commonly referred to as "daddy longlegs spiders" due to their long, delicate legs.