Daddy Long Legs: The "Most Poisonous" Myth Debunked
Heard the myth about Daddy Long Legs venom? It's false. Learn the difference between Harvestmen and Cellar Spiders and why they are harmless.
We all heard it on the playground: "Daddy Long Legs are the most poisonous spiders in the world, but their mouths are too small to bite us."
Total nonsense.
I hate to ruin your childhood, but here are the facts.
Fact 1: They aren't spiders
The creatures you usually see (Harvestmen) are Opiliones. They have one oval body segment (spiders have two). They don't produce silk. They don't have webs.
Fact 2: They have NO venom
Harvestmen literally have no venom glands. They couldn't hurt you if they wanted to. They are scavengers. They eat rotting fruit, dead bugs, and bird poop.
What about the other one?
There is an actual spider called a Cellar Spider (Pholcidae) that people also call Daddy Long Legs. These do have venom. But is it the most deadly in the world? No.
MythBusters actually tested this. The venom is weak. And yes, they can bite humans (barely), but it causes a mild burning sensation for a few seconds. That's it.
Leave them alone
If you see either of these guys in your garage, let them be. They eat the real bad guys—mosquitoes, flies, and even Black Widows. They are free labor.