Posted by Heather Schager on September 1, 2008

Q: We have come across a couple of spiders that look like red ants. The difference is that they have 8 legs instead of 6. I have searched the internet, but everything I find points to spiders, but when I look up the picture it is not what we have seen. These are about 7-9mm long. The body looks segmented and narrow just like an ants, with 8 legs. Other than the legs it looks just like a typical reddish ant, that we would see outside in the yard. Any thoughts on what we have? Both times we have seen them have been inside the house. It is August now, so it is not cold outside, and the weather has not been hot this year. I have not seen these before in the house, so was just curious about them.

State: Iowa

A: You've done very well - you found spiders just as you suspected. No insect has 8 legs so you realized that this was something else. There are quite a few species of spiders that mimic ants. From what I've been able to find out, I don't think scientists are entirely sure just what advantage these spiders have by looking like ants but many animals do avoid ants because of their fomic acid. I found a site that describes spider ant mimics but this species will not look like yours. Check out somethingscrawlinginmyhair.com

Not sure why the spiders may have entered your home but they won't pose a threat to any family or pets. Thanks for asking and I hope this helps solve your "mystery".

John Wiessinger ( September 1, 2008)