They like holes, cracks and nooks in moist, dark areas of the house ... or gray with pale white, gray, yellow, red, blue or green markings. A variation called zebra spiders feature gray bodies ...

Spiders are some of the most common creatures we share our homes with. While they may seem scary at first, most house spider species are harmless and even helpful, keeping pest insects under control.

Remove firewood, bricks, boards, tarps, or vegetation up against the house, which shelters insects that provide food for spiders, says Gray. Make sure to wear gloves and long pants and sleeves ...