The harvestman is in the order Opiliones of the arachnids, but not the spider order Araneae. The Zoology Department of the University of Wisconsin reports that there are 6,650 described animal species worldwide today. Their bodies look like one oval segment.
Such spiders are commonly known as daddy longlegs. They inhabit wet locations under rocks or logs, in gardens, and in forests. In 2022, the University of São Paulo conducted studies that established that harvestmen feed primarily at night, and their prey is small insects and organic waste.
They lack silk glands and venom, unlike spiders. They have a pair of eyes that are placed on a tiny central mound, giving them poor vision. They are identified through their long legs, which are too long, and they have a small body, as well as being harmless to human beings.
| Characteristic | Description |
| Scientific Name | Order Opiliones |
| Common Name | Harvestman Spider / Daddy Longlegs |
| Size | Small, compact body 2–10 mm long; extremely long, thin legs spanning 50–80 mm or more. |
| Color & Appearance | Brown, gray, or yellowish; globular or oval body; long spindly legs; does not produce silk or webs. |
| Legs | Very long and thin, used for sensing vibrations and navigating terrain; capable of autotomizing (shedding) legs to escape predators. |
| Eyes | Two eyes located on a central ocular tubercle; vision is poor, relies heavily on touch and chemical cues. |
| Habitat | Found in forests, grasslands, gardens, under rocks, leaf litter, and logs; prefer damp, sheltered environments. |
| Behavior | Nocturnal and highly mobile; scavengers that feed on small insects, plant material, and fungi; non-aggressive and harmless to humans. |
| Diet | Omnivorous scavengers; feed on small invertebrates, decaying plant matter, and fungi. |
| Venom | Non-venomous; incapable of biting humans or injecting venom. |
| Reproduction | Females lay eggs in moist soil or leaf litter; nymphs hatch resembling adults and molt several times before maturity. |
| Lifespan | Typically 1 year; some species may live up to 2 years in favorable conditions. |
| Geographic Range | Cosmopolitan distribution; found worldwide in temperate and tropical regions. |
| Adaptations | Long legs for sensing the environment; ability to shed legs to escape predators; scavenging diet allows survival in various habitats. |
| Predators | Birds, frogs, small mammals, centipedes, and larger predatory insects. |
| Activity Time | Primarily nocturnal; may be active during overcast or humid daylight conditions. |
| Prevention Tips |
Reduce clutter, leaf litter, and debris around homes. Seal cracks and gaps in basements, crawl spaces, and foundations. Keep outdoor areas dry and well-ventilated. Limit outdoor lighting that attracts insects. |
| How to Get Rid of Them |
Gently relocate individuals found indoors. Use sticky traps in basements or dark corners. Maintain clean and dry conditions in storage areas. Control insect populations nearby to reduce food sources. |
How to Identify a Harvestman
Here are the four steps to identify a harvestman:
- Body Shape: The body is small, oval-shaped, and approximately headless, with no distinct division between head and abdomen. This allows it to sport a small, singular & compact body that is unlike true spiders.
- Legs: The legs are eight to ten times body length and appear unusually long and thin compared to the small body segment.
- Color: The color shades in with leaves, bark, or the ground and aids in concealing them in such plants and forest-like plantations, submarine logs, etc.
- Size: The body size is approximately 0.5 cm, with males being slightly less than females, while both are the same oval and compact.
Where Do Harvestmen Live?
Here are the two habitats of harvestmen:
- Preferred Environment: Harvestmen live in dark, wet environments. They nest in debris between rocks, bark, or fallen trunks. These places ensure that they are not exposed to dryness and predators and have easy access to small insects and organic material to feed on.
- Indoor Habitats: Harvestmen invade basements, crawl spaces, garages, and sheds. Such places provide constant moisture, darkness, and protection. When conditions are too dry or exposed on the outside, cracks and gaps around foundations or doors are a common entry point.
What is the Life Cycle of a Harvestman
Here is the lifecycle of a harvestman:
- Egg Stage Harvestmen lay eggs in soil, under slabs of bark, or within thin crevices in the fall. Every female lays hundreds of eggs in safe locations where there is stable moisture and where predators rarely reach.
- Nymph Stage: The eggs hatch out in the spring, as small adults, but without the full size. These nymphs develop through molting a few times as they feed on decomposing matter and small insects in wet environments.
- Adult Stage: Harvestmen have their full leg and body size after the last molt. Adults experience warm seasons, and they seek food and partners until cold weather takes them off the active stage.
How to Prevent Harvestman Encounters
Here are the six ways to prevent or reduce harvestman encounters:
- Block Entry Points: Caulk gaps in windows, doors, and the foundations. Denying entry minimizes the possibility of the harvestmen getting into houses, particularly during dry and cold seasons, where they find protection.
- Control Indoor Moisture: Fix water leaks and increase ventilation. The inhibition in indoor humidity conditions prevents the survival and resting of the harvestmen in basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces.
- Declutter Living Areas: Clean clothes, storage, and organic waste. Clear and clean areas eliminate possible places of concealment; thus, it becomes difficult to harbour harvestmen in the house.
- Yard Maintenance: Clip plants, rake up the leaves, and clear wood piles. Maintaining a clean yard limits the outdoor habitat close to the house, reducing the risks of high nearby harvestman populations.
- Limit Hiding Spots: Do not keep messy things in the house nearby, that are garden tools, rocks, and trash. Clearing of these prevents harvestmen from having shaded or wet resting sites near entry points.
- Use Screens & Barriers: Set up window and door screens. The barrier minimizes accessibility of the outside by excluding harvestmen from our living spaces, with fresh air and natural light entering inside.
If you’re seeing spiders, schedule a same-day inspection now!
Are Harvestmen Dangerous?
Harvestmen neither bite nor sting humans. They do not possess venom glands and, as such, it is harmless. People tend to mistake them with spiders, but their biology does not include any direct harm or disease transmission.
Harvestmen do not spin silk like spiders. They are unable to spin webs or prey on insects. This characteristic stops them from invading homes with their sticky webs and minimizes nuisance indoors. They do not pose much threat, and their presence is generally an innocuous curiosity because they consume small insects, plants, and decomposing substances outdoors.
Harvestmen are not dangerous to humans or pets in general. They have long legs and tiny, oval-shaped bodies, which might seem to be frightening, but they do useful ecological functions without causing harm or transmitting disease.
