House black spider (The famous Badumna) is one of the most common spiders that lives near humans. It can be found in houses, sheds, garages, and other shelters, where it creates dense webs. The spider got its name from its dark color and habit of settling near human dwellings.
Although the house spider may look menacing, it is not deadly to humans. Its bite can cause pain and mild discomfort, but serious consequences are rare. Let's learn more about this unusual spider and its lifestyle.
Scientific classification
✔ The Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)
✔ Type: Arthropods (Arthropoda)
✔ Class: Arachnids (Arachnida)
✔ Row: Pavuk (Araneae)
✔ Family: Desidae
✔ Gender: Badumna
✔ View: The famous Badumna
Appearance and features
✔ Size:
• Females: 14-18 mm
• Males: 9-12 mm
✔ Colour:
• Dark brown or black, sometimes with gray or white spots
✔ Distinctive features:
• Dense, velvety coat on the body
• Hairy paws
• Large chelicerae (jaws)
Females are larger than males and have a more massive body. Males are usually thinner and have longer legs.
Distribution and habitat
🌎 Where does the house black spider live?
✔ Australia (main range)
✔ New Zealand
✔ Some regions of the USA and Europe (introduced species)
📌 It can most often be found in:
• Cracks in buildings
• Window frames
• Under the roofs
• In and around old furniture
The spider builds its web in dark places, often near the entrance to its shelter.
Lifestyle and behavior
✔ Active mainly at night
✔ Non-aggressive, but may bite if threatened
✔ Builds uneven, tunnel-like webs
✔ Females can live for several years, males only a few months after mating.
The house black spider leads a sedentary lifestyle. Its web usually consists of a chaotic network of threads with a tunnel-like entrance, where it hides in case of danger.
Food
🍽 What does a house black spider eat?
✔ Insects (flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, butterflies)
✔ Small spiders
✔ Other invertebrates
🔍 The spider waits for the victim to become entangled in its web, then quickly attacks, injecting venom.
The bite and its effect on humans
❗ Is a domestic black spider dangerous?
Its bite is not fatal, but can cause unpleasant symptoms:
🔴 Possible reactions to a bite:
✔ Acute pain at the site of the bite
✔ Mild swelling and redness
✔ Numbness
✔ In rare cases – headache or nausea
Serious allergic reactions are extremely rare.
First aid for a bite
✔ Wash the wound with soap and water
✔ Apply a cold compress
✔ Monitor symptoms
✔ In case of a severe reaction – consult a doctor
📌 An antidote for this spider's venom is not needed, as its toxins are not deadly to humans.
Reproduction and life cycle
✔ Mating season: spring - summer
✔ The female lays 40 to 300 eggs in silk cocoons.
✔ The little spiders hatch after 2–4 weeks.
✔ Males usually die after mating.
After birth, baby spiders quickly crawl around and look for places to build their own webs.
Interesting facts about the domestic black spider
❗ Despite its menacing appearance, this spider helps fight insect pests
❗ Lives in people's homes, but usually avoids contact
❗ Females can live up to 6 years, males up to 1 year.
❗ Builds webs in sheltered places where they are difficult to notice
Conclusion
The house black spider is a typical human "neighbor", living in the dark corners of houses and buildings. Despite its frightening appearance, this spider is not aggressive and does more good than harm, as it destroys insect pests.
Just remember that it can bite if it feels threatened, so don't disturb it. If you find a black house spider in your home, just leave it alone - it will be your natural "guard" against insects.
🕷 Have you ever encountered such a spider in your home? Share your experience in the comments!
