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Harmless

Bold jumping spider

Phidippus audax
Also called bold jumper, white-spotted jumping spider, daring jumping spider

Harmless: this fuzzy black jumper with white spots and shiny green jaws is curious, not aggressive, and bites only in rare cases when squeezed.

Bold jumping spider, photo 1
Photo: zygy, CC0, via iNaturalist
SizeFemales about 8–15 mm (1/3 to 5/8 inch), sometimes up to 19 mm (3/4 inch); males about 6–13 mm (1/4 to 1/2 inch)
Where in the houseWindows and walls, living room, garage, outside near the house
WhenMost active spring through fall; may appear indoors on warm winter days near windows.

Check these features

  1. Stocky, fuzzy black body with a large white, yellow or orange spot in the middle of the abdomen and smaller spots beside it
  2. Shiny metallic green or blue jaws (fangs) on the front of the face
  3. Two huge forward-facing eyes; turns its head to watch you
  4. Moves in short jerky hops and can leap many times its length
  5. Short, sturdy legs, often with white bands; males have tufts of hair over the eyes

Bites and stings

Bites are rare and happen only when the spider is squeezed or trapped. A bite may cause a small, mildly painful, itchy red bump that fades within one to two days. Wash it and use a cold pack; get medical advice if it spreads, looks infected, or you have signs of an allergic reaction.

What to do

  1. Relax: let it walk onto a piece of paper or into a cup and set it outside.
  2. Avoid pinching or squeezing it in your hand, which is the only time it may bite.
  3. If bitten, wash the area and use a cold pack.
  4. Consider leaving it in the garden; it eats flies, caterpillars and other pests.

Look-alikes

Black widowA black widow is glossy and hairless with a round, shiny abdomen, a red hourglass underneath, and it hangs in a messy web in dark spots, while the bold jumper is fuzzy, has white or orange spots on top, green jaws, and hops around in daylight.
Other Phidippus jumping spiders (e.g. red-and-black jumper)Relatives may have a red or orange back instead of spots; all are similarly low-risk.
Red velvet ant (a wingless wasp)A velvet ant has six legs, antennae and a red-and-black fuzzy body and can sting painfully, while the bold jumper has eight legs and no antennae.

Why it came inside

It hunts in sunny spots on siding, decks and window frames and often slips in around windows and doors; it may also come in on houseplants or firewood.

Keep it out

  • Repair window screens and seal gaps around window frames with caulk.
  • Fit door sweeps and weatherstripping on exterior doors.
  • Check houseplants and firewood before bringing them in.
  • Vacuum any silk retreats in window corners.

What helps

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Screen repair kit

Patches or replaces torn window and door screens, one of the most common ways insects get in.

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Caulk and sealant

Silicone or siliconized acrylic caulk closes cracks around windows, pipes and baseboards. Bigger gaps need foam backer rod or expanding foam first.

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Door sweep

Closes the gap under an exterior door. If you can see daylight under the door, bugs can get in.

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Weatherstripping

Seals the gaps around doors and windows that let in drafts and bugs alike.

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Bug catcher

A long-handled catcher moves a spider or insect outside without you having to touch it.

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Vacuum with a hose

Lets you remove bugs, webs and egg sacs without touching them. Empty the bag or canister outside right away.

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Sources

  1. Penn State Extension
  2. Missouri Department of Conservation
  3. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Animal Diversity Web
  4. Oklahoma State University Extension

Checked October 18, 2026. Rating backed by 3 sources. How we rate danger.