Are Daddy Longlegs Spiders? Understanding This Common Creature
When Claremont residents find those long-legged creatures hanging out in their garages or creeping through their basements, the age-old question emerges: are daddy longlegs spiders?
Chances are, these creatures aren't what they seem. While most people believe that daddy longlegs are spiders, the truth is more fascinating and complex—and it may change how you see these misunderstood species.
What Exactly Are Daddy Longlegs? Introducing the Cellar Spider
When most Claremont homeowners ask “are daddy longlegs spiders?” they’re usually talking about one of three different creatures that share the nickname:
Harvestmen
True daddy longlegs (technically called harvestmen) belong to the order Opiliones and aren't spiders at all. These creatures have been roaming Earth for over 400 million years, long before actual spiders evolved. They have one body segment instead of two, can't produce silk, and lack venom entirely.
Cellar Spiders
Cellar spiders, however, are the real web-weavers you'll find in your home's quiet corners. These genuine arachnids do belong to the spider family and create those messy, irregular webs in places like:
Basement corners and crawl spaces
Garage ceiling joints
Under stairwells and porches
Dark closets and storage areas
Crane Fly
The third creature sharing this name is the crane fly, which isn't even an arachnid. It's actually a flying insect that looks like a giant mosquito with impossibly long legs.
Benefits and Risks of Having Daddy Longlegs Around the Home
Whether you’re dealing with harvestmen or cellar spiders, these creatures quietly act as your home’s built-in pest control team. Both feed on small insects, helping keep your Claremont property free from more troublesome intruders.
Cellar spiders are particularly beneficial around the house. They catch and consume mosquitoes, flies, and other small insects that wander into their delicate, irregular webs.
Unlike some of their more intimidating spider cousins, cellar spiders are extremely docile and rarely bite people. On the rare occasion they do, their tiny fangs can barely pierce human skin.
True harvestmen, meanwhile, function like tiny vacuum cleaners, feeding on dead insects, small bugs, and even bits of organic debris. They serve as nature’s cleanup crew, helping maintain the ecological balance in your Claremont garden beds or shaded backyard corners.
The main “risk” these creatures bring is purely cosmetic. Their webs can make basements, garages, and storage areas appear cluttered, and many homeowners simply don’t like sharing space with eight-legged guests, regardless of their benefits.
Both harvestmen and cellar spiders are harmless to humans and pets. The old myth that daddy longlegs are “the most venomous spider but with fangs too small to bite” is entirely false. Harvestmen don’t have venom at all, and cellar spiders’ mild venom poses no threat to anything larger than a fly.
Did You Know?
Harvestmen survived multiple mass extinction events that wiped out countless other species. Unlike spiders, these creatures can eat solid food chunks rather than just liquids, and some species can even eat small snails and worms. Their incredible longevity as a species proves just how well-adapted they are to changing environments, which also explains why they've made themselves so comfortable in our modern San Gabriel Valley homes.
When to Call Professional Pest Control for Daddy Longlegs
Most daddy longlegs situations don’t call for professional intervention. However, certain scenarios in Claremont homes may warrant expert help from our team at ProCraft Pest Control.
Large populations can point to underlying moisture problems or other pest activity that’s attracting them in the first place. If you’re noticing dozens of these creatures gathering in your Claremont basement or tucked into a College Heights utility room, addressing the root cause often requires professional assessment.
Persistent web buildup may also indicate that your property has conditions especially favorable to cellar spiders—things like excess humidity, limited ventilation, or an abundance of other small insects. Our team can help identify and correct these underlying issues.
Some Claremont homeowners simply prefer a completely spider-free environment, especially in high-traffic spaces like family rooms or home offices. Professional treatment offers long-term relief while also tackling the environmental factors that draw these pests inside.
The good news? When you understand what you're dealing with, managing these harmless creatures becomes much simpler. Most of the time, a little knowledge goes a long way toward peaceful coexistence.
Ready to get a professional assessment of your situation and put the question, “are daddy longlegs spiders?” to bed?
At ProCraft Pest Control, we understand the unique pest challenges Claremont homeowners face. We’ll help you identify exactly which creatures you’re seeing and create a customized plan that fits your comfort level. Contact us today for expert guidance and effective solutions.
FAQ
Are daddy longlegs spiders or something else?
True daddy longlegs (harvestmen) are not spiders—they're arachnids but belong to a different order called Opiliones. However, cellar spiders are sometimes called daddy longlegs and are genuine spiders.
Do daddy longlegs bite humans?
Harvestmen cannot bite humans at all, since they lack fangs and venom. Cellar spiders can technically bite but rarely do, and their bite is harmless to humans.
Why do I see so many daddy longlegs in my basement?
Both harvestmen and cellar spiders prefer dark, humid environments. Basements provide ideal conditions with moisture, shelter, and plenty of small insects to eat.
Should I remove daddy longlegs from my home?
These creatures are beneficial pest controllers that eat harmful insects. Unless you have a large infestation or personal preference against them, they're helpful to have around.
What attracts daddy longlegs to houses?
They're drawn to moisture, darkness, and food sources (small insects). Poor ventilation, humidity problems, and other pest issues can increase their populations.
