Identification
Physical Characteristics
Size: The body length is small, typically ranging from 7-9mm. However, its leg span is immense, reaching up to 50mm or more, giving it a much larger appearance.
Coloration: The body is typically a translucent pale brown, yellowish, or grey colour. The cephalothorax often has a darker grey or brown marking in the centre, which some people think resembles a skull, leading to the nickname 'Skull Spider'. The abdomen is cylindrical and may have some faint, darker, mottled patterns.
Key Features: The combination of an elongated, cylindrical abdomen and extremely long, fine legs is the key distinguishing feature. Their characteristic bouncing or whirling defensive motion when their web is disturbed is also unique.
Biology & Lifecycle
Development & Reproduction
Reproduction Rate: A female can produce several clutches of eggs during her lifetime. With a relatively short time to maturity, populations can build up steadily in a suitable environment.
Lifecycle Details
Egg Stage
After mating, the female produces a small clutch of 20-30 eggs. Uniquely, she does not build a conventional silk egg sac. Instead, she holds the egg bundle together with a few strands of silk and carries it in her pedipalps (mouthparts) until they hatch.
Larval Stage
Spiderlings hatch directly from the eggs held by the mother.
Pupal Stage
Spiders do not undergo a pupal stage.
Adult Stage
Daddy Long-legs spiders can live for up to two to three years in the stable conditions of a house, which is a long lifespan for a small spider. They can breed at any time of year.
Reproduction Rate
A female can produce several clutches of eggs during her lifetime. With a relatively short time to maturity, populations can build up steadily in a suitable environment.
Generations Per Year
In the constant environment of a home, multiple generations can occur per year, with overlapping life stages commonly found in the same area.
Development Time
The development from egg to adult takes several months and is dependent on temperature and food. Spiderlings go through 5-6 molts before reaching maturity.
Seasonal Cycle
Being almost exclusively an indoor species in most of Australia, they do not have a strong seasonal cycle. All life stages can be found year-round. Population growth might accelerate in summer when insect prey is more abundant.
Environmental Factors
The key factors for their success are the structural complexity of human dwellings, which provide ample web-building sites, protection from weather, and a steady supply of prey.
Habitat & Distribution
Preferred Habitats
- Corners of rooms, especially near the ceiling.
- Basements, cellars, and sub-floor areas.
- Garages, sheds, and workshops.
- Behind large furniture and in undisturbed closets.
- Anywhere that is dark, quiet, and protected.
Distribution Patterns
Australian Distribution
Found throughout all states and territories of Australia, from Tasmania to the Northern Territory. Its distribution is tied to human habitation.
Climate Zones
- Tropical
- Subtropical
- Temperate
- Arid
- Mediterranean
Urban vs Rural Distribution
Extremely common in urban, suburban, and rural homes and buildings. Its presence is almost entirely linked to human structures.
Native Range
Believed to be of European origin, but is now one of the most widespread spider species on Earth.
Introduced Range
A true cosmopolitan species, found on every continent except Antarctica.
Introduction History
Likely arrived in Australia with the First Fleet and has been reinforcing its population with new arrivals ever since.
Current Spread
It is fully established across the continent wherever there are human buildings to inhabit.
Limiting Factors
Its distribution is not limited by Australia's external climate, but by the availability of man-made structures for shelter.
Behavior & Diet
Activity Pattern
Largely inactive during the day, they become more active at night. They will hang upside down in their web, waiting for prey.
Dietary Preferences
Feeding Habits
An opportunistic predator of a wide variety of arthropods.
Health Risks
Always consult healthcare professionals for medical concerns related to pest exposure.
Disease Transmission
- None. They do not transmit diseases.
Allergens and Respiratory Issues
As with any spider that creates extensive webs, the accumulation of dust, debris, and insect remains in their webs can contribute to household dust allergens and may trigger reactions in sensitive people.
Contamination Risk
Negligible.
Vulnerable Populations
- Arachnophobic individuals may experience significant anxiety.
- People with asthma may be affected by the dust collected in their webs.
- There is no physical risk to any group, including children, the elderly, or pets.
- The urban myth about their venom causes unnecessary fear.
- No one is physically vulnerable to this spider.
Symptoms of Exposure
- A bite is nearly impossible. Their fangs are extremely small and not designed to pierce mammalian skin.
- In the highly improbable event of a successful bite, it is reported to be a barely perceptible feeling or a very mild, short-lived burning sensation.
- No other symptoms like swelling or pain have ever been recorded.
- No medical attention is ever required.
- They pose less of a threat than a mosquito bite.
Transmission Methods
- The only (highly theoretical) method of venom transmission is a defensive bite.
Risk Severity
Negligible. Daddy Long-legs are completely harmless to humans.
Economic Impact
Treatment Costs
Professional Treatment
$200-$450 for a general spider treatment, which will also control Daddy Long-legs.
Prevention Costs
$10-$30 annually for dusters and brushes.
Diy Treatment
$15-$40 for a can of surface spray and a long-handled duster.
Property Damage
Structural Damage
None.
Garden Damage
None.
Food Contamination
None.
Equipment Damage
None.
Business Impact
Restaurant Issues
Their extensive, dusty webs create a strong impression of poor hygiene and lack of cleaning, which can be very damaging to a food business's reputation.
Retail Impact
Webs in corners of shops or changing rooms look unsightly and suggest poor maintenance.
Reputation Damage
High potential for reputation damage in any customer-facing business due to the visibility and messiness of their webs.
Operational Disruption
Minimal, but may require areas to be cordoned off for thorough cleaning.
Agricultural Impact
Crop Damage
None.
Yield Loss
None.
Beneficial Aspects
They are exceptionally beneficial predators inside homes and sheds, controlling numbers of mosquitoes, flies, and, most notably, other more dangerous spiders like Redbacks.
Economic Loss
The only economic loss is the cost of cleaning and pest control to manage their aesthetic impact.
Indirect Costs
Healthcare Costs
None.
Cleanup Costs
The significant, ongoing labour cost of physically removing their large, sprawling, and dusty webs from ceilings and corners.
Replacement Costs
None.
Preventive Maintenance
The cost of routine cleaning or professional pest control treatments aimed at maintaining a clean, web-free appearance.
Detection & Signs
Visual Signs
- The presence of their large, fine, irregular webs is the most obvious sign.
- Sighting the spider hanging upside down in its web.
- Webs often built in chains, with new webs constructed attached to old ones.
- Finding a female carrying her spherical egg cluster.
- Dust and debris accumulating in the webs, making them more visible.
Physical Evidence
- The webs themselves.
- Shed spider skins (exuviae) caught in the web.
- The desiccated husks of prey insects, like mosquitoes or other spiders, within the web.
- An accumulation of fine dust and lint in ceiling corners.
- Their presence is self-evident; they do not hide.
Behavioral Signs
- The spider vibrating or whirling rapidly when its web is disturbed.
- Observing them capturing and wrapping other spiders.
- Their slow, deliberate movements when not disturbed.
- They are fixtures in a room, often occupying the same web for months.
- Seeing them slowly expand their web over time.
Seasonal Indicators
- Activity is year-round indoors.
- There might be a noticeable increase in web-building and population size during summer when insect prey is more abundant.
- A 'spring clean' often reveals the full extent of a population that has been present all winter.
- No strong seasonal indicators as they are buffered from the external climate.
Early Warning Signals
- The appearance of a single, fine web in a ceiling corner.
- Sighting one spider is an early sign that more could establish if the area is left undisturbed.
- An increase in flies or mosquitoes inside can be a predictor of a subsequent increase in Daddy Long-legs.
- Their webs are very obvious, so early signs are easy to spot.
Prevention
Sanitation Measures
- The most important measure is regular, physical removal of webs using a broom, duster, or vacuum cleaner.
- Reduce clutter in storage areas, as clutter provides more anchor points for webs.
- Controlling other insect pests will reduce the spiders' food supply, but they can survive for long periods without food.
- Keeping areas well-lit and frequently disturbed will discourage them from settling.
- Frequent dusting and cleaning is the key.
Exclusion Methods
- Seal cracks and holes to prevent entry, although they are so common that they will likely establish from individuals already inside.
- Ensure windows and doors have well-fitted screens to reduce the influx of their insect prey.
- Because they are so pervasive, exclusion is less effective than sanitation for this species.
- Inspect items brought in from sheds or garages for spiders or egg sacs.
- Focus on making the indoor environment less appealing through cleaning.
Landscaping Tips
- Landscaping has little direct effect on this predominantly indoor spider.
- However, managing outdoor vegetation and lighting can reduce the number of prey insects that find their way indoors, indirectly impacting the spiders' food source.
- Trim vegetation away from windows and doors.
- Position lights away from entryways.
- Ensure compost and rubbish bins are sealed and away from the house.
Monitoring Strategies
- Monitoring is simple: regular visual inspection of ceilings, corners, and dark, quiet areas.
- Their webs are highly visible, so no special tools are needed.
- A weekly scan of rooms during cleaning is sufficient to monitor their presence.
- Note areas where webs are frequently rebuilt after removal.
- Sticky traps are not particularly effective as they are web-bound.
Environmental Modification
- Increase air circulation with fans in areas like garages or basements, as they dislike drafts which interfere with their webs.
- Increase light and reduce shadowed areas.
- The primary modification is to reduce structural complexity by removing clutter and junk, giving them fewer places to build webs.
- A minimalist, clean environment is the best deterrent.
- Using dehumidifiers in damp areas can make them less comfortable.
Control Methods
Professional Treatment Methods
Chemical Control
A professional surface spray can be effective, but it is often unnecessary. The main professional service is physical removal from hard-to-reach areas, followed by a preventative spray.
Biological Control
They are the biological control! No agents are used against them.
Physical Control
Physical removal with a long-handled brush or vacuum is the primary method of control used by both homeowners and professionals.
Integrated Approach
An IPM approach involves a thorough clean-out (physical removal), followed by homeowner education on the importance of regular cleaning and habitat modification (reducing clutter) to prevent their return.
DIY Treatment Options
Natural Remedies
Sprays of vinegar and water or essential oils may deter them, but physical removal is far more effective and permanent.
Home Made Traps
Not applicable or effective for this species.
Deterrent Methods
The best deterrent is a clean house. Constant destruction of their webs will eventually cause them to move on or die out.
Mechanical Control
A vacuum cleaner with a hose, or a broom/duster, is the number one DIY tool. It removes the spider, its web, and any egg sacs in one go.
Treatment Effectiveness
Success Rate
Physical removal has a 100% success rate on individual spiders and webs. Long-term success depends entirely on the consistency of the cleaning schedule.
Timeframe
Immediate results are achieved through physical removal. Webs can reappear within a week if the spider is not removed.
Follow Up Required
Requires constant, weekly follow-up in the form of regular house cleaning.
Seasonal Considerations
Control is a year-round activity for this spider.
Application Techniques
- Systematic cleaning of all wall/ceiling junctions.
- Use of a vacuum to ensure the spider and its eggs are captured.
- Targeted application of a surface spray to corners after cleaning can help prevent rapid re-infestation.
- A feather duster on an extension pole is highly effective for high ceilings.
Professional Services
Professional Treatment Services
Chemical Control
A professional surface spray can be effective, but it is often unnecessary. The main professional service is physical removal from hard-to-reach areas, followed by a preventative spray.
Biological Control
They are the biological control! No agents are used against them.
Physical Control
Physical removal with a long-handled brush or vacuum is the primary method of control used by both homeowners and professionals.
Integrated Approach
An IPM approach involves a thorough clean-out (physical removal), followed by homeowner education on the importance of regular cleaning and habitat modification (reducing clutter) to prevent their return.
Professional Treatment Costs
$200-$450 for a general spider treatment, which will also control Daddy Long-legs.
Treatment Success Rates
Physical removal has a 100% success rate on individual spiders and webs. Long-term success depends entirely on the consistency of the cleaning schedule.
Treatment Timeframe
Immediate results are achieved through physical removal. Webs can reappear within a week if the spider is not removed.
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Browse All ProvidersSeasonal Patterns
Spring Activity
Activity and populations remain stable indoors. Any increase is linked to a rise in available insect prey.
Summer Activity
May experience a population boom due to the abundance of flies, mosquitoes, and other insects. Webs become larger and more numerous.
Autumn Activity
Populations are often at their peak. This is a good time to do a thorough clean-out of webs.
Winter Activity
Remain active indoors, buffered from the cold. They can survive on very little food during this time if insect numbers are low.
Breeding Season
Year-round.
Peak Activity Period
Webs and spiders are often most noticeable in late summer and autumn simply because they have had all season to reproduce and build.
Environmental Factors
Temperature Effects
Their life cycle is directly tied to the stable temperatures inside human homes.
Humidity Effects
They are highly adaptable to different humidity levels.
Photoperiod Effects
Largely irrelevant due to living indoors.
Weather Patterns
External weather has no direct impact on them.
Legal Considerations
Pest Status
Considered a domestic nuisance pest due to their messy webs.
Control Regulations
Standard regulations for household pesticides apply. All products must be used according to the label.
Professional Requirements
Pest controllers must be licensed to apply chemicals in a residential setting.
Environmental Considerations
When using sprays, avoid contamination of food surfaces and ensure good ventilation. The beneficial role of this spider in controlling other pests should be considered before opting for chemical control.
Compliance Requirements
- Adherence to pesticide labels is a legal requirement.
- No specific permits are needed.
- Professionals must comply with state licensing laws.
- Disposal of chemical containers should follow local regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Daddy Long-legs spiders the most venomous in the world?
This is one of the most persistent and incorrect urban legends in Australia and worldwide. The myth states that Daddy Long-legs spiders have incredibly potent venom but their fangs are too small to pierce human skin. Both parts of this claim are false. Scientific studies on their venom have shown it to be relatively weak and not particularly effective on mammals. Furthermore, while their fangs are indeed very small, they are capable of piercing human skin, though a bite is exceptionally rare. The reported sensation is trivial and insignificant. In reality, Daddy Long-legs (*Pholcus phalangioides*) are completely harmless to humans and pose no threat whatsoever. Their reputation as spider-killers comes from their skill, not their venom's power.
Is it true that Daddy Long-legs can kill Redback spiders?
Yes, this is absolutely true and is one of their most fascinating behaviours. Daddy Long-legs spiders are highly effective predators of other spiders, including the venomous Redback. They use their extremely long legs as a major advantage. When they encounter a Redback in its web, they can use their long legs to safely pluck at the web, luring the Redback out. They then use their legs to expertly fling silk from a distance, immobilizing the Redback before it can get close enough to bite. Once the Redback is safely wrapped, the Daddy Long-legs will move in to deliver a bite and feed. This makes them a significant and beneficial predator to have around, as they can help to control populations of more dangerous spiders in and around the home.
Why do Daddy Long-legs spiders shake or vibrate in their web?
This is a unique and highly effective defensive behaviour. When a Daddy Long-legs spider feels a threat, such as a large object (like a hand) or a potential predator touching its web, it initiates a rapid, gyrating or whirling motion. It swings its body in a wide circle, becoming a vibrating blur. This serves two purposes. Firstly, it makes the spider an incredibly difficult target for a predator to accurately strike or grab. Secondly, the strange, blurry motion may confuse or startle a potential attacker, encouraging it to leave. It's a low-energy, highly effective way to avoid confrontation. If you gently poke the edge of their web, you can often trigger this fascinating defensive display.
What's the best way to get rid of Daddy Long-legs spiders without chemicals?
The best and most effective non-chemical method is physical removal. Because they and their webs are so flimsy, a broom, a duster on a long pole, or a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment are perfect tools. Systematically go through your home and remove all the visible spiders and their webs from ceiling corners, behind furniture, and in garages or sheds. It’s important to remove the web completely, as this is their home and hunting ground. By regularly and repeatedly cleaning away their webs (e.g., weekly), you create a constantly disturbed environment that is unsuitable for them, and they will struggle to re-establish. This consistent mechanical removal is more effective than any natural spray or repellent.
Are the Daddy Long-legs outside the same as the ones inside?
Usually not. This is a common point of confusion because the name 'Daddy Long-legs' is used for at least three different creatures in Australia. The one inside your house in a messy web is the Long-bodied Cellar Spider, *Pholcus phalangioides*. The creature you often see outside, walking on foliage or walls, that also has long legs but a small, round, single-segment body, is a Harvestman. Harvestmen are also arachnids but they are not spiders, and they don't produce silk or build webs. The third creature is the Crane Fly, which is a delicate flying insect with six legs and wings. So, while they share a nickname, the web-building spider inside is a different animal from the arachnid you see walking around the garden.
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