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In the fall, spiders are searching for cozy spots indoors to spend the winter. They’re not trying to scare you or give you nightmares. And no, they won’t bite you and give you spider flu or spider rabies. Spiders are helpful because they eat lots of other creepy-crawly insects like flies, mosquitoes, and beetles. If you’re not afraid of spiders but rather curious about them, read on for some answers about why so many spiders find their way into your home this time of year.
If you have a serious spider infestation, Recon Pest Services is here to help. Servicing the greater Omaha & Lincoln areas, we have the skills and experience needed to handle any common pest issue. Contact us for a free quote!
Why are there so many spiders in my house in the fall?
Spiders are not trying to get into your house, they’re just looking for warmth and food. Spiders are cold-blooded, which means their bodies can’t regulate their own body temperature. So, if it’s cold outside, like it is in the fall, spiders need a warm place to stay alive.
They’ll stay outside if it’s warm, but if it’s getting cold and wet, they’ll come inside your house. This is why you’re seeing a lot more spiders in the fall than you do during the rest of the year: they’re trying to find a warm place to stay alive. Spiders also come inside to search for food this time of year, especially if you have some buggy food in your house that you didn’t put there.
What kind of spiders show up in my home during the fall?
During the fall, you’ll see more house spiders and more garden spiders than any other type of spider. House spiders are small, brown, and they make cobwebs that are usually in corners of your home. They usually won’t bite people, but they do like to nibble on insects.
Garden spiders are known as orb-weavers because they spin a round web with an opening in the middle that they wait for prey to enter. They are brown or yellow and can grow as big as 1 inch. Garden spiders don’t build webs inside your home like house spiders do. Instead, they make their webs in trees, shrubs, and tall grass. It’s not uncommon to find one in your home. Just be sure not to brush it off your wall or slam a door on it. We want to make sure those spiders aren’t accidentally squished. When that happens, they release a chemical that warns other spiders to stay away.
Poisonous brown recluses can be found in the American midwest, but they are relatively uncommon. If you do see one, however, be sure to contact your local pest control professional right away. These spiders are much bigger and scarier than common house spiders. You’ll know if it you see it!
For more information and visuals on dangerous spiders to look out for, check out this article.
Spiders are coming indoors to stay warm
Like we mentioned above, spiders are cold-blooded, which means they can’t regulate their own body temperature. Their metabolism is dependent on the temperature of the environment they’re in. So, if it’s getting colder outside but they’re not inside a warm place, they could freeze and die. Spiders can die when the temperature is as low as 37 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some spiders, like the black widow, start coming indoors as early as late summer during a really warm year. Other spiders wait until the temperature becomes colder before they come inside. No matter what spider you have in your home, it’s best not to squash it.
How to get rid of spiders in your home during the fall
There are a few things you can do to get rid of spiders in your home during the fall. The best thing you can do is try not to disturb the spider, especially if it’s outside your home. If there is a spider web in your home, don’t try to tear it down. Let the spider finish building its web, and then clean it up when it’s done.
If you find a spider in your home, don’t try to catch it or kill it. Instead, try to find where it’s hiding and clean up that area. You can also try to control the insects inside your home that spiders eat. You can do this by cleaning up any food crumbs and wiping down sticky surfaces, like the table and your coffee machine. You could also seal cracks and holes that insects like to get into so spiders can’t get inside. This includes places like behind your refrigerator and walls near your trash can.
Conclusion
Spiders are coming indoors during the fall because they’re looking for warmth. You can keep spiders out of your home by cleaning up crumbs, wiping down sticky surfaces, and sealing cracks and holes. If you find a spider in your home, don’t try to catch or kill it. Instead, try to find where it’s hiding so you can clean it up. When you keep your house clean, it’s less likely that spiders will stay inside all winter long.
