What attracts spiders in your house?

The thing with spiders is that they don’t make a home out of, well, yours if they don’t have a reason to do so. Understanding these reasons can help you eliminate some of the factors that can cause an infestation. Now, that being said, here is what attracts spiders in your house. In this article you’ll find the answers to the following questions:

• What are they attracted to?
• How do spiders get into your house?
• Where do spiders hide?
• What types of house spiders can get into my house?
• How to keep spiders out?

Why do spiders come inside the house?

Here are the main reasons for spiders to prefer your property and enter it very often:

Extreme weather conditions

We aren’t talking about tornadoes or snowstorms. House spiders are tiny and fragile and even the smallest change in the weather can affect them. Basically, if it gets a bit too warm, cold or wet outside, expect itsy-bitsy spiders to come looking for refuge in your home.

Having some alone time

Haven’t you wondered why the talented web-makers linger in dark and around hard-to-reach places like room corners and under furniture? Well, it’s in their nature. Plus - those places are best for creating their hunting net.

It’s mating season

Noticed how the number of spider “friends” on your property has drastically increased in just a few weeks? Well, another good reason for having them strolling on your walls is spider mating season. When that egg-making time of the year comes, spiders start looking for the best living accommodation and breeding conditions possible and of course, for a partner, as well.

Check also: What Bugs Come Out in Spring and How to Avoid Them?

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Nourishment

If you happen to have the right food source (and water) in your house for the insect, a spider invasion is guaranteed. So, if there are various insect pests lingering on your property, you’ve got another good reason to take care of them. Wait, there is more - there are some Araneae species that enjoy fruit, so it’s not a very good idea to leave your bananas and apples unprotected on the kitchen table. 

Read more: What do spiders eat?

Egg-laying preferences

You can actually carry spiders into the house by bringing in second-hand items. The insect likes to lay their eggs in hidden places to protect them. You could never know when there is an old, forgotten spider egg sac attached somewhere onto your new vintage sofa, waiting to hatch. Sounds a bit nightmarish now, doesn’t it?

Easy access

Anything from a small crack in the wall to an opened window is a spider invitation. There are even some Araneae species that get clever and use holes made by other types of vermin and crawl in. So, if you don’t fancy the idea of hosting spider parties, take care of any entry points.

How do spiders get into your house?

Now that we’ve covered the “why” part, it’s time for the “how” one. If you’ve participated in the never-ending battle against spiders, you may be thinking that there is no effective strategy against them. However, before we even start talking about the battle plan, we need to discuss the weak spots, or in other words - the insect’s entry points.

Generally, a spider can enter your house in two ways. The first method is just by walking in. Yup, you read this right. A spider can just stroll in your living room without batting an eye if it has access to it. As we mentioned earlier, we are talking about opened doors, windows, gaps, cracks, holes, etc. Needless to say, you need to take care of the above-listed openings.

Make sure to close your doors and windows tightly, replace any damaged strips and if you don’t have any - get door sweeps installed. As for damage, located on the foundation of the property, like cracks and gaps - seal those ASAP. Another common entry point is the air vent. To eliminate any risks of a spider family moving in, place a mesh screen on it. By taking all of these prevention measures, you also protect yourself from other potential pest invasions.

The second method of entering is a bit more… traumatising.

Spiders can hitchhike. Now, don’t imagine a spider flaunting its hairy leg on the road, trying to catch a ride. It’s far less entertaining than that. For example, you can get a spider infestation by bringing the insect in with an old toy, inside of moving boxes, etc. You can even bring the insect into your home after an innocent walk in the park. Now, that being said, there isn’t much that you can do in terms of prevention. Still, you can take the time to inspect any items before you carry them in the house, especially second-hand ones. Vacuuming regularly also works well.

Image by: Ben Osteen / License: CC BY 2.0

Where do spiders hide?

A spider’s preference for a potential hideout or web-building spot highly depends on the type of insect we are talking about. For example, there are varieties that like more moist areas like crawl spaces, basements, and bathrooms. Others are a bit more mysterious and enjoy dark and quiet places such as attics, air vents, and room corners. Common house spiders don’t like to show themselves up - they live in solitude, close to their water and food sources. Overall, most spider species in the UK prefer living in cluttered places, so don’t be surprised if you find an eight-legged buddy or two next time you decide to clear up your garage, attic or storeroom.

Check also: 7 Types of Pests that Infest Christmas Trees

What types of house spiders can get into my house?

Mother nature has “gifted” us with quite an impressive number of spider species that would happily thrive in nature and inside your home if given the opportunity. Here are the top 3 ones that you can spot crocheting webs in your home:

Q: I keep finding spiders all over my house, and I’m not sure how they’re getting in. Why are there so many spiders in my house? What should I do about it?

A: Finding spiders in your home can be an unsettling experience. Are you wondering, “Why are there so many spiders in my house?” If so, searching for the answer is the first step in preventing the situation from worsening. If you see more than just a few spiders in your home, you’re probably ready to take the steps needed to get rid of them. Solutions can be as easy as reducing household clutter, maintaining window screens, or keeping landscaping trimmed and tidy, but some cases might require a pest control professional. Read on for some possible reasons you’re seeing these unwelcome visitors.

Spiders have easy access to the inside of your house.

The best way to prevent spiders from getting inside is to make the home challenging to get into. Eliminating as many cracks, holes, and crevices as possible in doors, windows, siding, flooring, and the foundation will block them from getting inside. Also, take a look at where cables and wiring attach to the house. If there is an opportunity to get inside a home, spiders will take it.

Window screens are damaged, or there are cracks and holes in the walls.

Damaged window screens are another entry point for spiders. Check the window and door screens in the home to see if any are torn or loose-fitting. Replace any damaged screens or fix holes or gaps with weatherstripping. Seal cracks or holes in the walls or foundation with caulk. Sealing up any potential entryways will make it much more difficult for spiders to get inside.

Uncleanliness invites spiders into your home.

Spiders like to hide in dark, dusty, or dirty areas. Cleaning your home regularly, especially under furniture like chairs, couches, and beds, will deter spiders. Vacuum and dust in high and low corners where spiders weave their webs. Keeping the kitchen clean will reduce the number of other insects in your home that spiders eat. The cleaner the home, the less likely it is that you’ll see spiders.

The grass around the house might need to be trimmed and maintained.

Plants, flowers, trees, and grass near the side of a house should be kept trimmed. Any greenery or plants that touch the outside walls can encourage spiders to explore inside.

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There is a steady food supply in your home.

Spiders eat insects. If there are insects inside a home, spiders will have a steady food supply. Keeping your home clean by sweeping up crumbs and wiping down the kitchen every time you use it is one way to make your home less inviting to insects. Inspect your home for water sources, places to hide such as piles of old magazines or cardboard boxes, or open containers of pet food. If you get rid of the spiders’ food supply, you can get rid of the spiders.

The climate is controlled inside your home.

Spiders like dark and comfortable spaces. If it’s cold outside, the chances are that spiders will make their way inside where they can be warm and cozy. They will also search for a way to cool off inside if the outside temperature is too hot. Some spiders prefer damp spaces and others prefer dry areas.

It’s mating season.

Spider mating season starts in the late summer and early fall when many spiders will leave their web searching for a mate. Some of them may move inside, and once there, they’ll mate and nest in comfortable spots. But while you might see more spiders in your house around this time, Rod Crawford, curator of arachnids at the University of Washington’s Burke Museum says that “spiders actually prefer the milder, damper weather of late fall and early winter.”

You brought them inside without knowing.

Spiders are good at hiding, and it’s common for them to hitch a ride on firewood, camping equipment, vegetables, patio furniture, toys, or pets. Before bringing anything inside the home, check for spiders or other pests.

You’re not keeping up with pest control.

Taking simple preventative measures will help with pest control. Keeping trees, plants, and grass trimmed, sealing cracks and holes, keeping the house clean, and inspecting items you bring into your home will go a long way. A pest control professional can also suggest the best methods for preventing spiders in your house or getting rid of an infestation.

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