what type of spider is this

Question: We remodeled a bathroom and this spider has been found there before probably 10 times a year but now we are finding them more often.  What is it and how do I kill it

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 05, 2023, 12:13 PM EDT
response: Thanks for your question.  Spiders can be interesting creatures but probably not so when we have to share our bathroom with them!  I need four pieces of information before addressing your question. 1).  When you say "10 times a year" do you mean that you find this type of spider (maybe not the same spider) on 10 different occasions during the year?  2).  Over how many years have you seen spiders in your bathroom? 3).  Can you give me a rough idea as to its length? Half inch?  Couple of inches?  More than two inches? 4).  Have you ever seen this spider in locations other than your bathroom? As soon as you provide me with this information I will immediately get back to you.  I already have a pretty good hunch as to the type of spider it is.  If I am correct, it is quite harmless so don't be concerned in that regard. Looking forward to your response.  Thanks for using our forum.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 06, 2023, 7:57 PM EDT
response: #1. Until this past month, we have found this same spider, in our bathroom or laundry room sink once or twice a month.  #2. We have seen them probably the past 10 years.  #3. I would say 3/4  in to and inch. #4.  We see then in the detached garage and shed as well. Thanks for responding so quickly.  AngIs your home worth more than you think?Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will!You can also join me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/angela.sherack or my website: angelasherack.comOn Fri, May 5, 2023 at 11:13 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 06, 2023, 8:30 PM EDT
response: Thanks for your response. Please recognize that this is a gardening forum designed to answering gardening questions.  Spiders are a bit out of our realm.  However being a biologist I do have other capabilities.  Besides my own experience, I used various insect keys to identify this spider.  Such endeavors confirmed my initial hunch. I believe that this is a Lace-Webbed spider (Amaurobius similis).  It is a member of a spider group known as hacklemesh weavers.  It is not common in Minnesota.  Its size typically is a bit over an half inch which is consistent with your observation.   It loves to dwell in moist places.  This explains why you found it in your bathroom and as your recent response indicated, also in your laundry room.  As I replied previously, it is completely harmless.  Though as is true for most spiders if provoked, it can become agitated and bite though not seriously.  It probably entered your abode a while ago.  How and why is not clear to me.  Its life span is short so if you do nothing it should disappear.  But since as you replied you have seen this before is a bit puzzling to me.  I do not have a good explanation for this.  Either it has found a mate in your dwelling for reproductive purposes and/or new spiders keep coming in.  I see no reason for calling in an exterminator nor indiscriminately spraying insecticides about. I suggest that you use your vacuum cleaner to suck these critters up and discard the bag in the trash.  Persistence on your part with these activities should, hopefully, in time completely eliminate them.  Hang in there and good luck.  Please get back to us with any further concerns or observations. https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification=Hacklemesh-Weaver