House spiders love to build their webs in secluded, undisturbed areas like the corner of a room or behind furniture. When night falls, these spiders are more active and can often be found hunting for prey.
This increased activity has led some people to believe that house spiders crawl on you at night. But is this fact or myth?
Their shy nature means that house spiders are rarely seen by humans, and while it’s true that spiders can sometimes end up on our bodies while we sleep, it’s not intentional.
Spiders aren’t out to get us, and they’re not trying to creep us out by crawling on us in the middle of the night.
Spiders are attracted to dark places, which is why they’re commonly found in basements, attics, and other dark corners of your home.
If you find a spider on your body, it’s likely because the spider was exploring its surroundings and ended up on you by accident.
House spiders won’t crawl at you unless they can’t help it! In fact, spiders fear humans and will only bite if they feel threatened. We’re bigger than them, and they’re more likely to be injured or killed if they come into contact with us.
Why Do We See House Spiders Scurrying in the Night?
Despite having multiple eyes, house spiders have poor vision. They rely on vibrations to help them navigate their surroundings and find food. At night, we’re less likely to be moving around, which means there are fewer vibrations for spiders to detect.
This is why you might see a spider scurrying across the floor when you turn on the lights at night – the sudden change in light and movement has startled the spider and caused it to flee.
While not all, most house spiders are nocturnal predators. They use their silk to build webs that capture unsuspecting insects. The vibration of an insect caught in a web is how spiders know there’s food nearby.
When they feel the vibrations, they’ll rush over to their web to wrap up their prey. Additionally, many of the insects that spiders prey on are also most active at night.
Another reason would be the temperature. Since warm air rises, nighttime temperatures are often cooler near the ground, making it more comfortable for spiders to move around.
Aside from this, the darkness also provides spiders with some protection from predators.
By staying hidden during the day, spiders can avoid being eaten by birds and other predators that might see them in the daylight.
Will Spiders Crawl on Your Mouth While You Sleep?
It’s unlikely that a spider would deliberately crawl into your mouth while you sleep.
Most spiders are shy and reclusive creatures that prefer to stay out of human sight. However, it is possible that a spider could accidentally end up in your mouth – but these chances are very slim.
When spiders hear a person snore, they are more likely to escape than go towards the noise.
More often than not, the stories of spiders crawling into people’s mouths are urban legends. If a spider did crawl into someone’s mouth while they were sleeping, it would be more likely to suffocate than bite.
It’s important to remember that spiders aren’t out to get us, and they pose very little threat to humans.
These eight-legged creatures, despite their bad reputations, are more likely to leave you alone while you dream.
How to Prevent House Spiders from Entering Your Bedroom?
If you’re still feeling fear and dread, despite knowing that spiders are more scared of you than you are of them, there are some things you can do to keep spiders out of your bedroom.
Watch out for Cracks in Your Bedroom Floors and Walls
One of the most surefire ways to keep spiders out of your bedroom is to make it difficult for them to enter in the first place. Check your floors and walls for any cracks or gaps, no matter how small, and seal them up with either caulk or weatherstripping.
You should also take a look at your windows and doors, making sure that they fit snugly in their frames and that there are no cracks or openings around the edges.
Even the tiniest of gaps can provide an accessible entryway for spiders, so it’s essential to be thorough in your inspection.
Once you’ve sealed up all the potential entry points, you can rest assured that spiders will have a much harder time getting into your bedroom.
Keep Your Bedroom Clean and Tidy
Another way to deter spiders from entering your bedroom is to keep it as clean and tidy as possible. Spiders are attracted to places that are cluttered and full of nooks and crannies for them to hide.
This also gives them the opportunity to build their webs undisturbed. Vacuum regularly and make sure that all areas inside your room (and home) are free of dust and debris.
Organize Your Bedroom Clutter
Aside from general cleaning, you should also take the time to organize your bedroom clutter.
This includes things like clothes that are lying on the floor, shoes that are scattered around, and books that are piled up high.
Not only will this make your room look nicer, but it will also make it harder for spiders to build their webs and hide away.
Use an Essential Oil Diffuser
Over the years, essential oils have been known to promote relaxation, improve sleep quality, and even ward off pests. When used in a diffuser, these oils can help keep spiders away from your bedroom while you sleep.
Some of the most effective essential oils against spiders are citrus, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oil.
Lavender is a great relaxant and smells good for humans, while peppermint and tea tree oil have strong scents that spiders are known to dislike.
Final Thoughts
The urban legend that goes around saying that house spiders crawl on people while they sleep is just that – a legend. Spiders are shy creatures that would rather avoid humans entirely.
Their chances of creeping on you (and your mouth) as you sleep are highly unlikely.
If they do accidentally end up in your bedroom, there are things you can do to prevent them from getting in and make sure they don’t bother you while you sleep.
Keep cracks sealed, tidy up your bedroom and home, and use an essential oil diffuser to help you sleep soundly through the night – spider-free!
