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Science & Nature • Arachnology

Giant house spider

The giant house spider is a large funnel-weaver spider in the genus Eratigena, best known for appearing in and around buildings, especially in autumn.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The giant house spider is a large funnel-weaver spider in the genus Eratigena, best known for appearing in and around buildings, especially in autumn. It is fast-moving, mostly nocturnal, and generally harmless to people. The name is sometimes used for a species complex that has been treated as one or more closely related species.

Taxonomy

The giant house spider is commonly identified as Eratigena atrica and belongs to the family Agelenidae. Some sources treat the name as part of a species complex that includes closely related species such as E. duellica and E. saeva.

Description

This spider is brown, large, and long-legged, with a body length up to 1.6 cm and a leg span up to 7.5 cm. It is among the fastest invertebrates and is known for its rapid movement across indoor surfaces.

Habitat and behaviour

Giant house spiders live in dark, sheltered places such as corners of rooms, behind furniture, and other undisturbed spaces. They spin sheet-like webs, wait for insects to become trapped, and are most active at night.

Distribution

The species is commonly associated with homes in parts of Europe and has also been reported in introduced populations in North America. It is especially familiar to people who encounter it indoors in late summer and autumn.

Key facts

  • It is one of the fastest invertebrates, with reported running speeds of up to 0.5 m/s.
  • It builds sheet-like cobwebs or funnel-like webs in dark corners and crevices.
  • It is most active at night and is often noticed indoors in autumn.
  • It is generally considered harmless to humans and tends to avoid contact.
  • The name has been applied to a species complex, not always a single species.
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Canadian context

It is relevant to Canadian readers because introduced populations have been reported in Canada, particularly in British Columbia and parts of the Atlantic provinces, making it an occasional indoor spider of interest in some regions.

Frequently asked questions

What is a giant house spider?
A large funnel-weaver spider commonly identified as Eratigena atrica, known for living in and around buildings.
Is the giant house spider dangerous?
It is generally considered harmless to humans and usually avoids contact.
How fast can it move?
It has been reported running at up to 0.5 m/s, making it one of the fastest invertebrates.
Where is it usually found?
In dark corners, behind furniture, in baths, and other sheltered indoor or outdoor crevices.
What kind of web does it make?
It spins sheet-like or funnel-like webs in neglected corners and waits for prey nearby.
Is it one species or several?
The name has sometimes been used for a species complex, with some sources separating it into closely related species.

References

  1. The Wildlife Trusts — https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/spiders/giant-house-spider
    Supports: Common name, scientific name, size, speed, behaviour, web type, and general habitat
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_house_spider
    Supports: Species complex treatment and taxonomic ambiguity
  3. PEI Untamed — https://www.pei-untamed.com/post/giant-spiders
    Supports: Canadian presence in the Atlantic provinces
  4. USA Spiders — https://usaspiders.com/eratigena-atrica-giant-house-spider/
    Supports: North American introduction, including British Columbia, and speed claims