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Professional, Local Insight Into Insect Pests Found in Ontario
Spider Library
Common House Spider
Appearance: Small (5–8 mm), brownish with faint markings on the abdomen.
Habitat: Indoors, especially in corners, basements, and garages.
Web Type: Irregular, tangled webs.
Risk to Humans: Harmless.
Interesting Fact: Often mistaken for more dangerous species due to similar web patterns.
Brown Recluse Spider
Appearance: Small to medium (6–12 mm), light to dark brown with a distinct violin-shaped marking on the back. Legs are uniformly coloured and not hairy.
Habitat: Native to the central and southern United States. Not established in Ontario. Rare sightings are typically due to accidental transport in goods or luggage. Prefers warm, dry, undisturbed indoor areas like closets, storage boxes, or behind furniture when present.
Web Type: Small, irregular webs used for retreat—not for catching prey.
Risk to Humans: Venomous. Can cause serious skin reactions in rare bite cases, but bites are extremely uncommon. No breeding populations in Ontario.
Interesting Fact: Despite online rumors, the Brown Recluse is not native to Canada. Most suspected sightings in Ontario are misidentifications of harmless local spiders like cellar spiders or cobweb spiders.
Northern Black Widow
Appearance: Shiny black body (females ~10–15 mm) with red or orange hourglass on abdomen.
Habitat: Woodpiles, sheds, and undisturbed areas.
Web Type: Irregular, messy webs close to ground level.
Risk to Humans: Venomous; bites are rare but can require medical attention.
Interesting Fact: Found occasionally in southern Ontario; not aggressive.
Fishing Spider – "Dock Spider"
Appearance: Large (up to 75 mm including legs), brown or gray with pale markings.
Habitat: Near water—ponds, streams, and wetlands.
Web Type: Does not build webs to catch prey.
Risk to Humans: Can bite if threatened, but not medically significant.
Interesting Fact: Can walk on water and catch small fish or tadpoles.
Wolf Spider
Appearance: Long, thin legs; small, delicate body (2–10 mm).
Habitat: Dark, damp areas like basements and crawl spaces.
Web Type: Loose and messy.
Risk to Humans: Harmless; cannot bite through human skin.
Interesting Fact: Known to prey on other spiders, including more dangerous ones.
Cellar Spider – "Daddy Long-Legs"
Appearance: Large (up to 35 mm), hairy, brown with dark markings.
Habitat: Ground-dwellers; found under logs, leaves, or inside sheds and homes.
Web Type: Does not spin webs; actively hunts prey.
Risk to Humans: Not aggressive; bites are rare and cause mild irritation.
Interesting Fact: Carries its egg sac and spiderlings on its back.
Black and Yellow Garden Spider
Appearance: Large (up to 25 mm), bright yellow and black abdomen.
Habitat: Gardens, fields, and tall grass.
Web Type: Large, circular webs with a zigzag pattern (stabilimentum).
Risk to Humans: Harmless; will retreat when disturbed.
Interesting Fact: Helps control garden pests like flies and aphids.
Zebra Jumping Spider
Appearance: Small (5–7 mm), black with white stripes like a zebra.
Habitat: Windowsills, fences, and sunny indoor/outdoor spots.
Web Type: No web; uses silk as a tether while jumping.
Risk to Humans: Harmless.
Interesting Fact: Excellent eyesight and can leap several times their body length.
Bold Jumping Spider
Appearance: Small to medium (8–15 mm), black with white spots and metallic green or blue fangs.
Habitat: Sunny areas like fences, decks, exterior walls, and windowsills. Occasionally seen inside homes and cottages.
Web Type: Does not spin webs to catch prey—uses silk as a retreat or safety line.
Risk to Humans: Harmless. May bite if handled, but bites are rare and not dangerous.
Interesting Fact: Known for excellent vision and curious behavior, this spider actively stalks prey like a tiny hunter.
Orbweaver Spider
Appearance: Plump, with a large round abdomen often patterned; color varies.
Habitat: Gardens, forests, eaves, and porches.
Web Type: Classic round “orb” webs.
Risk to Humans: Harmless and non-aggressive.
Interesting Fact: Rebuilds its web daily in early morning or evening.
Cross Orbweaver
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.
Woodlouse Hunter
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.
Woodlouse Hunter
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.