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Harmless

Long-bodied cellar spider

Pholcus phalangioides
Also called longbodied cellar spider, daddy longlegs spider, daddy longlegs, skull spider

Harmless to people: this is the classic "daddy longlegs" spider of basements and ceiling corners, and the story that it is deadly is a myth.

Long-bodied cellar spider, photo 1
Photo: twsummer, CC0, via iNaturalist
SizeFemales about 7–8 mm (about 1/3 inch) body length, males about 6 mm (1/4 inch); front legs of a female span about 50 mm (2 inches)
Where in the houseBasement, garage, attic, closets, windows and walls, bathroom
WhenYear-round indoors; adults are found in heated buildings in every month.

Check these features

  1. Very long, thin legs, many times longer than the body
  2. Pale tan to yellowish body with a long, tube-shaped abdomen
  3. Grayish mark in the middle of the front body section
  4. Hangs upside down in a loose, messy web in ceiling corners
  5. Shakes or whirls in its web when disturbed so it blurs

Bites and stings

Not known to bite people; it is not considered medically important.

What to do

  1. Leave it alone or remove it; it poses no danger to you, children or pets.
  2. To move one, cover it with a cup, slide a card underneath, and release it outside.
  3. Vacuum webs and spiders from corners if the webbing bothers you.
  4. Consider leaving a few in basements and garages, since they eat other spiders and insects.

Look-alikes

Harvestman (also called daddy longlegs)A harvestman has one round, bead-like body with no waist, makes no web, and usually walks on floors or outside walls rather than hanging in a web.
Crane flyA crane fly has six legs, wings and a slender insect body, and it flutters around lights instead of sitting in a web.
Marbled cellar spiderA close relative with a shorter, blotchy gray-and-brown abdomen; it is just as harmless.
Brown recluseA recluse has a compact body with legs of ordinary length and a dark violin mark, and it hides in clutter instead of hanging in an open web.

Why it came inside

It is a mostly indoor spider that lives its whole life in quiet, sheltered parts of buildings, catching insects and other spiders that wander into its web.

Keep it out

  • Vacuum ceiling corners, window frames and basement rafters regularly.
  • Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors and the foundation with caulk.
  • Keep window and door screens in good repair and fit door sweeps.
  • Cut down on clutter and stored boxes in basements and garages.

What helps

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Vacuum with a hose

Lets you remove bugs, webs and egg sacs without touching them. Empty the bag or canister outside right away.

See options on Amazon
Caulk and sealant

Silicone or siliconized acrylic caulk closes cracks around windows, pipes and baseboards. Bigger gaps need foam backer rod or expanding foam first.

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Door sweep

Closes the gap under an exterior door. If you can see daylight under the door, bugs can get in.

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Screen repair kit

Patches or replaces torn window and door screens, one of the most common ways insects get in.

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Bug catcher

A long-handled catcher moves a spider or insect outside without you having to touch it.

See options on Amazon

Sources

  1. Penn State Extension
  2. UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County
  3. University of California, Riverside (Rick Vetter spider site)
  4. UC Statewide IPM Program

Checked October 18, 2026. Rating backed by 4 sources. How we rate danger.