What Attracts Spiders?

Occasionally, you may come across an eight-legged critter hanging around in a corner of your home. Maybe, you've started to notice them a bit more than you'd like and wonder "Why are spiders attracted to my house?" Well, you're not alone. Many people question why and how spiders get into their home. Let's be honest, we all prefer a cozy place indoors, and so do these little critters. In this article, we'll go over what attracts spiders into houses and what steps you can take to prevent them from continuing to come in.

What Attracts Spiders To Houses?

There are various reasons spiders may keep coming into your home. Your home likely provides all the necessities for them to survive and mate. Knowing what may be causing this, you can make the necessary changes to avoid more visiting you and having an infestation.

Food and Water Sources

One common reason spiders go into your house is to find food and water. Spiders feed on insects like flies and ants which may also be around your house. They can find their hydration in many parts of your home such as the sinks or showers. This is why you're likely to see spiders in the bathroom or kitchen areas of your house. Although it's not ideal to see spiders wandering around your house, they have some benefits.

According to Colorado State University,

"Spiders are the most important biological control of pests in gardens, fields, forests, and homes."

These little critters help keep control of other animals coming into your home. But seeing too many spiders can be an issue. A significant increase in spiders can lead to infestations that may be difficult to get rid of.

Shelter

Spiders are prey to many animals and are constantly trying to hide from them. This includes lizards, birds, frogs, and even other spiders. Though lizards may intrude into your house from time to time, it is unlikely these predators can make it unannounced inside your home. This makes your house a safe place to live for them without the worry of being hunted.

Outdoor Environments

During winter and other colder months, spiders are looking for warmth. What better place to be than a house with the heaters on? Spiders also prefer dark areas which is why basements, attics, and cluttered areas are some of their favorite spots.

Fun fact: Many spiders enter homes during the fall. This occurs because it is their mating season.

Plants

If you have a lot of plants or bushes around your house or near your doors and windows, it's easier for spiders to find their way in. These plants provide the perfect cover for insects and spiders to hang out by. If they're too close to your house, it's easier for them to wander and find a crack or opened door to get inside. Try keeping your plants trimmed and away from any entrances.

Plants inside the house also provide a great mating area for spiders. In these plants, they'll have shelter and get the water they need without interruptions from predators. Sometimes when bringing home a plant you may already have small house spiders in the soil and not notice.

How Do Spiders Get Inside The House?

Spiders can get into your home in multiple ways. They likely squeeze through any cracks or small openings you aren't aware of. Whether it's a small opening in your vents or a tiny gap in your door, they'll be sure to find it.

They can also make their way in through boxes and packages that you bring inside. Always brush off things you are taking into your home and have a clean area around your doors. If you see spiders inside your home, double-check to ensure you don't have any cracks inside and that all entry points are completely sealed. Here are some tips to keep your house free of spiders.

How To Keep Spiders Out Of Your House

To reduce the chance of a spider coming inside your home, you can do the following:

• Avoid clutter inside your home and clean consistently. Make sure you sweep the corners and hard-to-reach places.

• Check for any cracks in your house and gaps in your doors and windows. If you find any, seal them to prevent more spiders from coming in.

• Keep plants and bushes away from the entrances of your home.

• Remove spiderwebs around your home to prevent them from breeding and eating.

• Use screens on your windows and doors if you tend to keep them open.

• Use citrus-scented cleaners or citronella candles. Spiders dislike the smell of citrus, cedar, and vinegar.

• Control the moisture inside your home.

Spiders can help remove insects and usually don't cause harm to humans (excluding some venomous ones), but they can also be quite frightening. If possible, capture the spider and release it back to its natural habitat outside. Then use the previous suggestions to prevent them from coming back in. If you have a serious infestation issue, consider calling pest control.

Conclusion

Though spiders can help remove unwanted insects and pests, it's ideal to remove them from inside your house to avoid any infestation issues. A spider can be attracted to your house because they are looking for:

• Food

• Water

• Warmth

• Safety from predators

These critters are great at sneaking their way in so ensure you've covered all the steps to prevent them from doing so. We understand they may give you the heebie-jeebies, but odds are they aren't trying to hurt you. Spiders are just one of many curious creatures we encounter in our lives. Understanding these critters can help ease the fear we feel toward them and appreciate the good they do for us.