July 7, 2026, 1:12 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
If you discover a cellar spider in your home, you usually want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. With their long, thin legs, these creatures appear creepy to many people and often show up exactly where they’re least wanted: in living room corners, bathrooms, or basements. But why do cellar spiders feel so at home in houses? And how can you get rid of them without harming them?
Why Are There So Many Cellar Spiders in the House?
One of the most common cellar spiders in German homes is the long-bodied cellar spider (Pholcus phalangioides). According to the German Environment Agency, it almost exclusively inhabits buildings and prefers to build its irregular webs directly in corners. It feels particularly comfortable in warm and rather humid rooms like basements or bathrooms.
The German Nature Conservation Union (NABU) also describes the long-bodied cellar spider as a typical human cohabitant. It can be found in houses year-round and prefers quiet corners or under the ceiling, where it can build its webs undisturbed.
Dr. Roland Mühlethaler, a scientific associate at NABU, is not surprised that cellar spiders are so common in homes: “Here in Central Europe, cellar spiders are pronounced cultural followers and live almost exclusively in our dwellings.” They are not attracted by smells or light. “It’s simply the structure and warmth of the houses.”
They Are Often Confused with Harvestmen
Due to their long legs, cellar spiders are often confused with harvestmen. However, they are actually different groups of animals. While cellar spiders are true spiders and build webs, harvestmen do not have silk glands and therefore cannot make webs.
Are Cellar Spiders Dangerous?
The answer is clear: No. Neither the German Environment Agency nor NABU classify the long-bodied cellar spider as dangerous to humans. On the contrary, it is considered very useful because it captures numerous annoying insects such as mosquitoes or flies. Bites are extremely rare and harmless to humans.
Dr. Mühlethaler explains how effective these creatures are at hunting: “Despite their delicate body structure, they are successful hunters.” Their seemingly irregular webs are good traps where even larger prey can get caught. Additionally, cellar spiders have “a relatively strong venom—but only for insects and spiders,” which quickly paralyzes their prey.
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Home Remedies to Get Rid of Pests in Your House
How to Gently Get Rid of Cellar Spiders
If you don’t want these creatures in your home, you should avoid killing them if possible. Dr. Roland Mühlethaler, a scientific associate at NABU, instead recommends: “If you want to get rid of cellar spiders, please don’t kill them; instead, carefully catch them with a glass, slide a piece of cardboard underneath, and take them outside.” He also notes: “Then you’ll also be missing the natural mosquito controllers in the house.”
To prevent them from settling again, the Institute for Pest Science also recommends regularly removing existing spider webs.
How to Prevent New Cellar Spiders
Completely preventing the occurrence of cellar spiders is hardly possible. Where many small insects are present, cellar spiders will also find enough food. Therefore, it can help to keep the food supply as low as possible. Fly screens on windows, for example, prevent mosquitoes and flies from entering the house in the first place. Additionally, it is worthwhile to seal cracks or gaps in windows and doors to make it more difficult for spiders and other small animals to enter the building. These measures are generally considered sensible prevention and are also recommended by pest science experts.