Arizona species
Daddy longlegs (cellar spiders) in Arizona
Family Pholcidae
The long legged web spider most people call daddy longlegs. Harmless to people, and not the same animal as a harvestman.
Source: UC Riverside: Daddy long legs
How to identify
- Very long, thin legs and a small body.
- Builds loose, messy webs in corners, closets and garages.
- Shakes or vibrates its web when disturbed.
- Two body parts and silk, unlike harvestmen.
- Size
- Small body with legs many times longer than the body.
- Habitat
- Ceiling corners, closets, garages, sheds and other sheltered spots in and around buildings.
- Where in Arizona
- Cellar spiders live around homes across Arizona. The marbled cellar spider is one of the most often reported in the state on iNaturalist.
Look-alikes
Prevention
- Seal gaps around doors, windows and utility lines.
- Repair screens and add door sweeps.
- Reduce clutter near walls and in garages.
- Cut down on the insects spiders feed on, including near outdoor lights.
Call Hydra if cellar spider webs keep building up indoors. Our Service Pros remove webs and reduce the insects spiders feed on.
When to call Hydra
Call or text us, we answer both. Or send us your details and we'll come back with a free custom quote.
Frequently asked questions
Are daddy longlegs spiders?
Some are and some aren't. UC Riverside spider researchers explain that harvestmen are not spiders, while cellar spiders are true spiders that arachnologists also call daddy longlegs spiders. See our answer on the daddy longlegs myth.
Are daddy longlegs the most venomous spider?
No. UC Riverside says there is no scientific basis for calling cellar spiders deadly, and harvestmen have no venom at all.