Household Spider Identification?

Question

I am trying to figure out what kind of spiders these are that I have in my house. I'm located in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts to give you an idea of the region.

The spiders are not very big - maybe about 3/4 of an inch with the legs included. They're a pale brown color.

The biggest defining characteristic is their behavior. They spend almost all of their time in these little "nests" they build. They will crawl to where a wall meets the ceiling, and then basically encase themselves in a cocoon-like web, spinning in place as they weave it until it surrounds them completely. Then they just kind of spend their time sitting there, obscured by the veil of their silk.

Is this behavior indicative of a specific spider or group of spiders? Also, is this a kind of spider that I should be concerned about, or is it most likely harmless?

Answer 1

Sounds like a Funnel web spider. Funnel web spiders all have eight eyes about the same size and slightly separated, bodies about l/2 inch long, and usually two dark longitudinal stripes on a grayish cephalothorax. The most distinguishing characteristic is a long posterior pair of spinnerets. Funnel web spiders spin flat webs of silk which extend into tubes or funnels into which the spiders retreat for protection, hence the name. The webs are often found in shrubbery near buildings, or in the angles of windows, doors or buildings. They reach the peak of their population in late summer and fall and often enter buildings at that time. Most funnel-weavers die after the first frosts. Winter is passed in the egg stage.

http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/mt9210...

Answer 2

I live on "the Cape" and am familiar with those spiders. They are harmless and I'm sorry but I do not know their name. They are found more often in the bathroom as that is where the water is; they need it like all living things. I just pick them up carefully in tissue and put them out side. They will keep house and garden bugs to a minimum but for all that, no one wants them in the house anyway. They will go after the little "shore flies" and "fruit flies" that will be attracted to the light (we leave our bathroom light on for the kids) so in that respect, I'll name them "banana protectors". When the season warms a bit more, they will kind of disappear as the warmth from the house will not be so inviting when the cold winter drives them in.