These spiders are found in window farming, or under leaves, gutters, and among rocks and bark. In the Australian bush, Black House spiders are usually found upon rough-barked trees which provide good shelter for their retreats among the cracks in the bark.

The female spider never leaves her web unless forced to and continuously repairs it. Old webs can look grey and woolly from constant additions of silk. Males, when ready to mate, go in search of females in their webs.

Black House spiders particularly like trees that have been attacked by wood-boring insects, as the sap flowing from the bored holes attracts flies, beetles, butterflies, bees and ants, which the spider can prey upon easily.

In the house, these spiders feed upon household pests attracted to the light of windows and lamps, where the spiders tend to build their webs. Electric lights attract their other prey which also includes moths and mosquitoes.