The Giant House Spider
| Name | Eratigena saeva, Eratigena duellica & Eratigena atrica |
| Size | Males up to 10-14mm, Females up to 11-16mm |
| Young | Up to 70 powder-blue young |
| Diet | Fruit flies, Mosquitoes, Flies, Moths, Earwigs, Clothes moths, and Fleas. |
| Habitat | dark corners of buildings, rock and tree crevices, stone walls, disused rabbit holes, under rubble etc. |
Fast Facts
Mythbusting time…
Despite their size and speed, giant house spiders are benign and pose no threat to anyone in your home! (Please don’t squish them)
You are more than likely going to see what feels like more spiders around August/September when spiders are mating.
No scientific evidence supports this claim; human breathing and snoring vibrations likely keep spiders away.
Guiness Record Holders
Reaching speeds of up to half a meter per second, they held the Guinness World Record for the fastest spider until 1987. However, the title was eventually taken by solifugids—though they aren’t technically spiders!
I don’t want them in my home, what do I do?
It’s nearly impossible to keep spiders out, as they quickly return through windows, doors, pipes, and vents. In autumn, some even “balloon” on silk strands, drifting indoors through open windows and doors.
You could try relocating them to a garage, or a dark part of the house you have little to do with.
Ready to test your knowledge?
