7 Reasons Why Spiders Are Inside Your Walls

Many of us jump at the sight of a spider inside. Unless you’re keeping one as a pet, you probably don’t want to see one in your house. Spiders prefer to make the inside of your walls their home, which is why you see them on the walls so often!

Spiders prefer the inside of walls because they provide warmth and shelter. The walls of your home also have other insects inside, leading to a stable food source for spiders. Older homes tend to attract more spiders inside the walls because of a degrading foundation and outside sealants.

In this article, we’ll go over the main reasons you’re finding spiders in the walls and some tips on how to get rid of them for good. So, let’s get started!

1. It’s Warm Inside

Insects, and most pests for that matter, don’t like the cold. That’s one of the main reasons why pests are particularly bothersome during the winter months. If there is a sudden change in temperature, spiders and other pests will start fleeing to your house for warmth.

Even when it’s hot outside, the indoors usually provide more humidity and safety. If you live in a particularly hot or humid climate, you’ll probably find spiders year-round.

If you live somewhere with huge shifts in temperature, you’ll more likely find spiders in your house in winter.

Walls usually have a fairly constant temperature. Spiders value safety and constancy. Once they find a spot that’s nice and cozy, they’re going to stay.

While areas next to windows and doors offer easy entry, the temperature is more likely to fluctuate than in the walls.

2. There’s Plenty of Food Inside

Now, I’m not saying there’s crumbs in the walls.

Think about what spiders eat. Spiders are known for catching bugs in their webs, so it’s no surprise that their diet consists mainly of other insects.

Many species of spiders are even cannibalistic. This means that if they trap another spider in their web, they won’t shy away from eating it.

Spiders are smart creatures, though. Most of them know not to get trapped in another spider’s web.

Other insects, especially smaller ones, are not that smart. Your walls are full of tiny insects that you can’t even see. This is a feast for spiders.

So, if you want to get rid of spiders, one of the easiest tricks is to get rid of other bugs. Using a pest spray like the Mighty Mint Pest Repellent will do the trick. It comes with a tube and sprayer to help you reach all the cracks in the walls.

The ingredients are all-natural, so you don’t have to worry about having dangerous chemicals in your house.

If you have problems with other pests, you might think that spiders are a good way to keep them out. This will only lead to an excess of cobwebs and attract larger pests. It’s better to eliminate spiders and all pests.

You can also use natural scents that spiders hate in order to keep them away from specific areas.

3. Your House Isn’t Properly Sealed

Unless you keep spiders in your house, they have to be coming from somewhere outside. It could be that you accidentally carry one in on your clothes or in your bag. After all, most spiders are so small you can’t even see them.

However, most spiders are probably sneaking in when you aren’t looking. Spiders are as afraid of humans as we are of them. Considering our size, they’re probably even more afraid!

It would take a pretty brave spider to try and sneak past you. So, where are those nasty spiders coming from?

If your house isn’t properly sealed, then you could have spiders coming in from all directions. You can check out our article on the 9 different ways that spiders get into your home to learn more!

4. Your House Isn’t Clean

Like we just said, spiders love dust and cobwebs. Dust is most likely to collect in areas that aren’t clean.

This isn’t because spiders love the dirt. Spiders love the bugs that come with the dirt. If you have a problem with flies, moths, or even roaches, you’re going to find spiders.

Keeping your house clean and organized is the best way to keep these pests out of your house for good. Take extra care around the kitchen and bathroom.

Seal any containers with food and make sure not to leave anything on the counter. Ensure that all trash cans are well-sealed and taken out regularly.

Double-check areas of the house where you don’t clean very often like the basement and attic. These are the spots where you’re most likely to find spiders.

Even if you do your best to keep the house clean, spiders could still show up. When that happens, you’ll need a strategy to get rid of them.

You can take a look at our piece on the 20 most common places where spiders live in your home to where they may be besides your wall!

5. Provides Protection From Other Insects

Another reason why spiders love hanging out on your walls is that none of their natural predators are there.

Spiders have lots of natural predators like lizards, birds, and scorpions. Monkeys are another primary predator of spiders, but you’re less likely to have those in your house.

Some of these predators like scorpions could potentially climb into the walls, but scorpions don’t live all over the world. In North America, scorpions are primarily limited to the Southwestern States and Mexico.

If you want to go natural with your pest control, you might be thinking it would be a good idea to get a bird or let some scorpions loose. Birds wouldn’t be able to make it through the cracks in the walls, and scorpions are dangerous.

One safer option for a natural spider predator includes letting out Praying Mantis Eggs, as adult mantids are known to eat small spiders!

Here’s some information we posted a while back about what to do if you find a scorpion in your house.

6. It’s Mating Season For Spiders

Like most animals, spiders mate seasonally. Spiders tend to mate during the fall months. The most popular mating months are September and October.

Given spiders are most active during October, it’s no surprise that they’re a popular Halloween decoration!

Once a female spider mates, she will lay her eggs. Ideally, a spider wants to lay her eggs in a warm, safe place. A home is much more secure than the outdoors.

Spider eggs are very small, so they fit easily in cracks in the wall. Potential predators can’t fit through the cracks, providing further protection for the spider eggs.

When the eggs hatch, you’ll start seeing a lot more spiders. The best way to prevent this from happening is to get rid of the spider eggs before they hatch.

A good hand vacuum is a good way to eliminate spider eggs. Most pest repellents are effective in getting rid of eggs too. (Some people flush spiders down the toilet.)

If you want to avoid spiders, you’ll need to take extra care during the fall and winter months. However, it’s a good idea to stay on top of your pest control year-round. You never know when a cold front is going to come in.

7. Spiders Might Belong There?

Given that we’re advising on pest control, it might seem a bit odd that we’re saying spiders could belong in your house.

And, no, we’re not talking about your pet tarantula. Pet spiders belong in your house.

However, in certain circumstances, this could be the case. Though some would consider spiders pests, they are a natural form of pest control for other pests.

In areas of the house that you don’t visit frequently like the basement, spiders could be handy at keeping bugs under control.

If you don’t mind seeing spiders, there might be a reason to eliminate them. However, many people have a natural fear of spiders.

Spider control products are usually effective at eliminating other pests. By taking care of spiders, you’ll be keeping your house free of other pests. In the off-chance you try and squish a spider, they probably won’t remember you, so don’t worry too much.

Like all animals, spiders will eventually expire, which will attract more unwanted pests like ants and maggots.

All that being said, that doesn’t necessarily mean spiders are bad. After all, they are a part of nature. Let’s go over why spiders could be considered bad or good.

Can Spiders Live in the Walls?

From our perspective, a wall seems pretty solid. It doesn’t seem possible that anything could live there. However, there are a lot more tiny cracks and holes than you might think!

Large spiders like tarantulas probably wouldn’t be able to live in your walls, but the majority of house spiders won’t have any problems sneaking through the cracks. A good crack in the wall provides a perfect home for a spider.

The main things a spider needs is food and a space to weave its web. Corners are especially popular because they allow good web-weaving space. Cracks are popular for the same reason.

Among other places, walls are some of the most common places in which a spider can live in your home.

Cracks in the walls offer a good hiding space. If you can’t see them, neither can other animals!

Where Do Spiders Come In From Outside?

The usual culprit is an open window. Most of us like sleeping with the window open, especially if it’s hot. This is the best way to invite spiders into your house.

Doggy doors or other small openings are also usual entry points. Spiders are also able to crawl up and down drains, so long as there’s no rain to wash down the itsy bitsy spider.

Keeping the area around your windows and doors clean will prevent spiders from entering the house. Make sure to remove all cobwebs and dust. Spiders love dusty areas.

How to Ged Rid of Spiders

While there are many different places that a spider can hide, luckily there are a few common tips that can help you rid yourself of them!

One of the easiest and most classic ways to get rid of spiders is to set up spider traps. Setting up spider traps will also give you an idea of how many spiders there are in your house.

If you don’t want to go to the effort of setting up your DIY spider trap, use something like the Terro Spider and Insect Trap. They’re small enough to hide in a spot where your guests won’t see.

Ultimately, I do recommend checking out our step-by-step guide on what to do when you see spiders inside your house!

Ask an Expert For Advice On Spiders

If you’re unsure about the types of spiders in your house, contact a pest control specialist. They can better identify specific species and tell you what types of spiders live in your area.

While these tips are sure to help you keep spiders out of your house, you should contact a pest control specialist if you have consistent problems. They can provide you with personalized tips and professional advice.

That’s a Wrap!

That’s about all we have on spiders! To wrap things up, let’s go over the basics once again.

Spiders live in cracks in the walls because they provide a safe and warm habitat. You are most likely to find them in the fall and colder seasons. They are probably entering your house through open windows and doors, but they can also fit through cracks and drains.

The best ways to prevent spiders from entering your home are to keep your house clean and use pest repellents. For professional help, contact your local pest control company.

Thanks for reading, and good luck keeping spiders out!

References:

Davey, Graham C. L. ” The “Disgusting” Spider: The Role of Disease and Illness in the Perpetuation of Fear of Spiders”. Society & Animals 2.1 (1994): 17-25.\

Mike Rinck, Eni S. Becker. “Approach and avoidance in fear of spiders.” Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, Volume 38, Issue 2, 2007, pp 105-120.

Pennisi, Elizabeth. “Untangling spider biology.” (2017): 288-291.