Meet The Team

Professional, Local Insight Into Insect Pests Found in Ontario

Appearance: Medium-sized (10–20 mm), orange, brown, or reddish with a distinctive white cross marking on its back.

Habitat: Gardens, shrubs, fences, eaves, and outdoor furniture—especially active in late summer and fall.

Web Type: Not aggressive. May bite if pressed against skin, but not medically significant.

Risk to Humans: Venomous; bites are rare but can require medical attention.

Interesting Fact: Often called the “garden spider,” it’s one of Ontario’s most recognizable fall web-spinners.

Appearance: Medium (10–15 mm), reddish-orange head and legs with a pale beige or grey abdomen. Large fangs are visible.

Habitat: Under rocks, logs, mulch, and in damp areas like basements and crawl spaces.

Web Type: Does not use webs to trap prey—hunts actively.

Risk to Humans: May bite if handled; bite is not dangerous but can be briefly painful.

Interesting Fact: Specializes in preying on pillbugs (woodlice), using its large jaws to pierce their tough shells.

Appearance: Medium (10–15 mm), reddish-orange head and legs with a pale beige or grey abdomen. Large fangs are visible.

Habitat: Under rocks, logs, mulch, and in damp areas like basements and crawl spaces.

Web Type: Does not use webs to trap prey—hunts actively.

Risk to Humans: May bite if handled; bite is not dangerous but can be briefly painful.

Interesting Fact: Specializes in preying on pillbugs (woodlice), using its large jaws to pierce their tough shells.