What Do Daddy Long Legs Eat? The Complete Guide to Their Diet and Feeding Habits

You’ve probably seen them before—those delicate, long-legged creatures quietly resting in corners, crawling across walls, or wandering through your garden. Commonly known as daddy long legs, these fascinating animals often spark curiosity—and sometimes confusion.

But one question comes up again and again: what do daddy long legs eat?

The answer isn’t as simple as you might think. In fact, the term “daddy long legs” can refer to three different creatures, each with its own unique diet and behavior. From tiny insects and decaying matter to fungi and even nectar, their feeding habits are surprisingly diverse.

In this complete guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about what daddy long legs eat, including the differences between species, their role in ecosystems, and whether they’re helpful or harmful in your home.

What Are “Daddy Long Legs”? (Important Clarification)

Before we talk about diet, it’s essential to understand what “daddy long legs” actually means.

The name can refer to three different creatures:

1. Harvestmen

Not true spiders
One fused body segment
Found outdoors in gardens and forests

2. Cellar Spiders

True spiders
Long, thin legs
Common in homes (ceilings, basements)

3. Crane Flies

Flying insects
Often mistaken for giant mosquitoes

👉 Each of these has a different diet, so let’s explore them one by one.

What Do Harvestmen Eat?

Harvestmen are omnivores and scavengers, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods.

Their diet includes:

Small insects
Dead insects (carrion)
Plant material
Fungi
Bird droppings (yes, really!)

Unlike spiders, harvestmen cannot produce silk or venom, so they rely on scavenging and slow-moving prey.

What Do Cellar Spiders Eat?

Cellar spiders—the ones you often find in your home—are predators.

Common foods:

Mosquitoes
Flies
Ants
Other spiders

They build messy webs and wait patiently for prey to get trapped. Once caught, they:

Inject venom
Wrap the prey
Consume it slowly

👉 Interestingly, they sometimes eat dangerous spiders, making them beneficial indoors.

What Do Crane Flies Eat?

Crane flies have a very different diet depending on their life stage.

Larvae (in soil):

Plant roots
Decaying organic matter

Adults:

Nectar (occasionally)
Sometimes don’t eat at all

Adult crane flies live only a short time and focus mainly on reproduction.

What Do Daddy Long Legs Eat in Your House?

If you’re seeing daddy long legs indoors, they are most likely cellar spiders.

They help by eating:

Mosquitoes
Gnats
Flies
Other household pests

This makes them natural pest controllers, reducing unwanted insects without chemicals.

What Do Daddy Long Legs Eat in the Garden?

In outdoor environments, you’re more likely to encounter harvestmen or crane fly larvae.

Garden diet includes:

Aphids and small insects
Dead organic material
Fungi
Plant debris

While crane fly larvae may damage grass roots, harvestmen are generally beneficial.

How Do Daddy Long Legs Hunt or Feed?

Their feeding methods depend on the type:

Harvestmen:

Use mouthparts to grab and chew food
Scavenge rather than hunt

Cellar Spiders:

Build webs
Trap prey
Inject venom

Crane Flies:

Larvae chew plant matter
Adults sip nectar (if they feed at all)

Do Daddy Long Legs Eat Mosquitoes?

Yes—but only certain types.

Cellar spiders: ✅ Yes, they eat mosquitoes
Harvestmen: ⚠️ Occasionally, if they can catch them
Crane flies: ❌ No

This is why cellar spiders are often considered helpful in homes.

Are Daddy Long Legs Dangerous?

There’s a common myth that daddy long legs are the “most venomous spiders in the world.”

The truth:

Harvestmen: No venom at all
Cellar spiders: Mild venom, harmless to humans
Crane flies: Completely harmless

👉 None of them pose a real threat to people.

Why Are Daddy Long Legs Important?

These creatures play key roles in ecosystems.

Benefits include:

Controlling insect populations
Recycling organic matter
Supporting soil health

They are an essential part of the food chain and natural balance.

What Eats Daddy Long Legs?

Despite their long legs, they are prey for many animals.

Predators include:

Birds
Frogs
Lizards
Larger spiders

Their survival depends on camouflage and hiding.

Seasonal Feeding Behavior

Spring & Summer:

Abundant insects
Active feeding

Fall:

More scavenging behavior

Winter:

Reduced activity
Some species go dormant

How to Attract (or Avoid) Daddy Long Legs

To attract them (for pest control):

Keep a natural garden
Avoid pesticides
Provide shelter

To reduce them indoors:

Remove webs
Seal cracks
Reduce insects (their food source)

Fun Facts About Daddy Long Legs

They can lose a leg to escape predators
Harvestmen have one of the oldest evolutionary lineages
Some species cluster together in large groups
Cellar spiders can shake their webs to confuse predators

FAQs

What do daddy long legs eat most?

It depends on the species, but insects are a major part of their diet.

Do daddy long legs eat spiders?

Yes, cellar spiders often eat other spiders.

Do daddy long legs eat plants?

Only crane fly larvae and harvestmen occasionally consume plant material.

Are daddy long legs good to have around?

Yes, especially cellar spiders, as they control pests.

Do daddy long legs bite humans?

They rarely bite, and even if they do, it’s harmless.

Conclusion

So, what do daddy long legs eat?

The answer depends on the species—but overall, their diet includes insects, decaying matter, fungi, and sometimes nectar. Whether scavenging in the garden or hunting pests in your home, these creatures are far more beneficial than many people realize.

Instead of fearing them, it’s worth appreciating the important role they play in keeping ecosystems balanced—and even helping keep your home free of unwanted bugs.