Is this a baby Black Widow?

While they are in the same family and have a similar body shape, House Spiders lack the red hourglass and the "patent leather" shiny finish of a Widow.

Why are there so many webs in my basement corners?

They congregate where there is airflow and small insects. If you have a lot of webs, you likely have a lot of "micro-prey" like gnats or fruit flies.

Comb-Footed Spiders (House Spiders)

Comb-Footed Spiders (Family Theridiidae) are the most common creators of "cobwebs" in Utah. This family includes the common House Spider and is a close relative of the Black Widow, though they lack the dangerous venom.

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Identification & Appearance

The "Comb"They have a row of specialized bristles on their hind legs (the "comb") used to wrap prey in silk.
The ShapeThey have large, rounded, "bulbous" abdomens and relatively thin legs.
The ColorMost Utah house spiders are a mottled tan, gray, or brown with various streaks or spots.

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Behavior: Where Do They Hide in Utah?

The Tangle WebThey build messy, irregular webs in the corners of ceilings, under furniture, and in window frames.
The "Cobweb" LegacyWhen a web gets dusty or the spider abandons it to build a new one, it becomes a "cobweb."
Stationary LifeThey rarely leave their webs. They spend their entire lives waiting for a fly or gnat to get tangled in their sticky silk.

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FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a baby Black Widow?While they are in the same family and have a similar body shape, House Spiders lack the red hourglass and the "patent leather" shiny finish of a Widow.
Why are there so many webs in my basement corners?They congregate where there is airflow and small insects. If you have a lot of webs, you likely have a lot of "micro-prey" like gnats or fruit flies.