You know those spindly-legged creatures in your basement corners? I used to freak out seeing daddy long legs spiders everywhere in my old garage. Thought they were deadly poisonous for years until I actually looked into them. Turns out nearly everything people say about these guys is dead wrong. Let's clear up the confusion once and for all.
What Exactly Are Daddy Long Legs Spiders?
First off, that name's tricky. Depending on where you live, "daddy long legs" could mean three totally different critters. Here's the breakdown:
| Common Name | Real Classification | Key Features | Where Found |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvestmen | Opiliones (arachnid, not spider) | Single body segment, no venom | Forests, gardens, damp areas |
| Cellar Spiders | Pholcidae (true spiders) | Two body segments, create messy webs | Basements, ceilings, dark corners |
| Crane Flies | Tipulidae (insects) | Wings, mosquito-like but harmless | Near water sources, outdoor lights |
Most folks talking about daddy long legs spiders are actually referring to either harvestmen or cellar spiders. Harvestmen aren't spiders at all - they're arachnids but lack venom glands and silk production. The cellar spider variant though? Those are legit spiders with fangs and everything. Found one in my shower last Tuesday just dangling there like it owned the place.
Why Everyone Confuses Them
The mix-up happens because they all share those ridiculous long legs relative to their body size. Also, harvestmen and cellar spiders both prefer similar damp, dark environments. But here's how to tell them apart fast:
- Body segments: Harvestmen = one oval blob | Cellar spiders = distinct head/abdomen
- Movement: Harvestmen crawl smoothly | Cellar spiders bounce in webs
- Legs: Harvestmen legs detach easily | Cellar spiders have stronger leg joints
- Eyes: Harvestmen have one eye pair | Cellar spiders have eight eyes (usually)
The Poison Myth Debunked
Can we please bury this urban legend? I've heard it a hundred times: "Oh, daddy long legs spiders have the world's deadliest venom but their fangs can't penetrate skin!" Total nonsense. Here's the reality:
Harvestmen don't even have venom glands. Zero. Zilch. Cellar spiders do have venom (like all spiders), but it's weaker than a bee sting. Their fangs absolutely can pierce human skin - they just almost never bite people. I tried to handle one once when I was kid. Never bit me, just tried to scram.
Actual Danger Level
| Creature | Venom Potency | Bite Frequency | Medical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvestmen | Non-existent | Cannot bite | Harmless |
| Cellar Spiders | Very mild | Extremely rare | Minor irritation at worst |
| Black Widow | Neurotoxic | Defensive | Requires medical attention |
Truth is, daddy long legs spiders are about as dangerous as a cotton ball. The myth probably started because people saw them eating actual dangerous spiders. That part's true - cellar spiders will take down black widows and brown recluses. Pretty badass for something so fragile-looking.
Why You Should Leave Them Be
These guys are pest control ninjas. In my garden, harvestmen eat:
- Aphids (those green plant-suckers)
- Slugs and snails
- Mites and other tiny pests
- Decaying organic matter (nature's cleanup crew)
Inside your house, cellar spiders trap:
- Mosquitoes (thank god!)
- Clothes moths
- Ants
- Even cockroach nymphs sometimes
They're basically free exterminators. I stopped clearing webs in my basement corners after realizing how many fewer mosquitoes I was seeing.
When They Become a Nuisance
Okay, I get it. Sometimes you get an infestation where hundreds of daddy long legs spiders take over. Happened in my friend's cabin last fall. Here's how to handle it without chemicals:
- Reduce humidity: Fix leaks, use dehumidifiers (dampness attracts them)
- Clear clutter: Especially cardboard boxes and old papers
- Vacuum regularly: Gets eggs and adults (empty canister outside!)
- Natural repellents: Peppermint oil sprays actually work
- Seal entry points: Caulk cracks around windows and foundations
If you must relocate one, use the glass-and-paper method. They're so fragile that squashing makes a disgusting mess anyway.
Surprising Daddy Long Legs Facts
These critters have some wild tricks up their sleeves:
| Behavior | How It Works | Why It's Cool |
|---|---|---|
| Leg Autotomy | Legs detach when grabbed | Escape predators (legs keep twitching as decoy) |
| Group Huddling | Mass together in cold weather | Conserves heat and moisture |
| Omnivorous Diet | Eat plants, fungi, animals, poop | Super adaptable survivors |
| Web Vibrations | Pluck webs to confuse prey | Makes insects think they're trapped in bigger web |
Lifespan and Reproduction
Unlike most spiders that die after one season, cellar spiders can live 2-3 years in stable indoor environments. Harvestmen usually last about a year outdoors. Both reproduce like crazy though - a single female can lay hundreds of eggs. Found an egg sac behind my bookshelf once. Tiny pearl-like things in a messy silk bundle.
Your Daddy Long Legs Questions Answered
| Do they bite humans? | Technically possible with cellar spiders, but almost never happens. No recorded cases requiring medical treatment. |
| Why do legs fall off so easily? | Defense mechanism called autotomy. The leg breaks at a weak joint, letting them escape predators. Doesn't grow back. |
| Are they blind? | Harvestmen have basic eyesight. Cellar spiders see better but still rely heavily on vibration sensing through legs. |
| How do they survive winter? | Indoors: active year-round. Outdoors: harvestmen hibernate in leaf litter; cellar spiders die off except for eggs. |
| Best prevention methods? | Fix moisture problems (most critical), seal cracks, reduce outdoor lighting near windows, keep vegetation away from foundations. |
| Can they infest homes? | Not like termites, but large numbers can appear in damp basements or garages. Indicates underlying moisture issues. |
| Do birds eat them? | Rarely - they produce nasty chemicals as defense. Some specialized spiders and wasps hunt them though. |
Handling Encounters
So you've got a daddy long legs spider in your bathtub or crawling across the ceiling. Here's what I do:
- Don't panic: Seriously, they can't hurt you and move slowly
- Redirect outdoors: Gently coax onto cardboard for harvestmen
- Vacuum webs: For cellar spiders, just suck up the web cluster
- Prevent return: Wipe area with vinegar (disrupts scent trails)
If you're dealing with dozens, find where they're entering. Usually a gap around pipes or windows. A $3 tube of caulk solves most invasions better than pesticides.
When to Call Professionals
Almost never needed for daddy long legs spiders specifically. But if you have hundreds in your living space, it likely signals:
- Serious moisture problem (leaking pipes, poor drainage)
- Nearby infestation of other pests they're feeding on
- Structural issues allowing easy outdoor access
In that case, call a plumber or insulation expert before an exterminator. Cheaper long-term solution.
Final Thoughts
After years of fearing these wispy-legged creatures, I've grown to appreciate them. Are they slightly creepy when they suddenly appear near your face? Sure. But knowing they're silently removing actual pests 24/7? That’s a roommate I can tolerate. Next time you see one of those daddy long legs spiders in your basement, maybe just nod thanks instead of grabbing the newspaper. Unless it’s right above your pillow - then all bets are off.