Spiders at home? It could be a good thing—here’s why

Spiders are often demonized, portrayed as dangerous or unpleasant. In fact, a study of online newspaper articles found that 47% contained errors and 43% were sensationalist. But only a handful of spiders are truly dangerous to people, and they only bite in self-defense. The only medically significant spiders in the U.S. are widow spiders and recluse spiders. Widow bites can be serious but are rarely fatal with modern treatment. Recluse bites can cause tissue damage, but systemic illness is uncommon.

Most other spiders can bite humans, but the effect is usually no worse than a bee sting.

Spiders heading inside

With fall approaching, you may notice more spiders around your home. Don’t worry—that’s actually a good thing.

Why are spiders moving indoors? They’re cold-blooded, so as temperatures drop they look for warm spaces, and your home is attractive to them.

There are other reasons too: hunting prey, laying eggs, or even seeking a mate. And even if you think your home is sealed, spiders are expert infiltrators. Thanks to their flexible exoskeletons, they can squeeze into incredibly small spaces.

Why spiders are good for your house

The biggest reason to welcome spiders is that they provide free pest control. Many of the bugs they eat are genuine nuisances to humans, including flies, mosquitoes, earwigs, and cockroaches. Who wouldn’t appreciate a creature that munches mosquitoes, sparing you sleepless nights from their irritating whine?

Spiders also eat silverfish, which destroy paper and fabric, as well as moths that damage clothes and carpets, and pantry beetles that contaminate food.

Some of those pests carry bacteria and viruses, but once they’ve been eaten by a spider, the problem is gone.

Of course, spider webs can make rooms look unkempt, so regular cleaning is necessary. But you don’t need to kill the spider when you clear its web.

They’re not perfect housemates, but their benefits outweigh the downsides.

Another reason to be glad to see spiders: they’re a sign of a healthy home. They only stay in places they consider safe, and most prefer dry environments. In fact, if you never see spiders it may point to excess humidity, signaling leaks or mold problems. By contrast, finding webs is a good sign that your home’s conditions are healthy.

What to do if you really can’t stand spiders

If you really hate spiders, you’re not alone. Arachnophobia—the irrational fear of spiders—is the most common phobia in the U.S., affecting 10–15% of people. But there are ways to limit how many enter your home.

Seal cracks and crevices around windows and doors. Patch foundation gaps and vents where possible—though don’t block outlets needed for ventilation.

Try using peppermint oil around doorways and windows; spiders dislike the smell. Routine cleaning helps too: vacuuming corners, clearing piles of paper, and keeping storage boxes tidy will leave them fewer places to hide.

If you truly struggle with spider encounters, consider treatment. Exposure therapy is highly effective and can make a huge difference. If that feels like too much, even watching Spider-Man films may help—researchers found it can reduce arachnophobia.

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