As winter sets in, animals and insects alike begin to prepare for the cold months ahead. For many creatures, this signals a time to hibernate. As for spiders, it’s a completely different story.
There is no single answer to this question. Some spiders, such as the North American spider, typically live after one whole season – and die when winter comes. Some spiders, such as the woodlouse spider and the common house spider, will die when the temperature falls too low because they’re built for indoors. Taking them outside makes them vulnerable to the outdoor temperature.
Other spiders, such as the jumping spider and the wolf spider, are able to survive the winter by finding a warm place to hide, while others are able to tolerate cold weather by producing antifreeze proteins that prevent their body fluids from freezing.
House spiders may not be the most popular creatures, but they definitely are some of the hardiest. Their survival instincts are admirable, and next time you see one scuttling around your home, you can take solace in knowing that it has likely survived far worse conditions than a little winter weather.
Do All House Spiders Die in the Winter?
Spiders, in general, have a relatively short life span. Most house spiders only live for about one year and die when winter comes, and the North American spiders are the perfect example of this group. However, they would have laid their eggs before winter, and the eggs will hatch in the spring. This ensures that the species will continue to survive, even though the adults die off yearly.
Some species of spiders, however, are able to survive the winter by finding a warm place to hide. The brown recluse spider and the hobo spider, for example, are able to withstand cold temperatures by finding a warm place to wait out the winter months. These spiders will typically hide in attics, crawlspaces and, other dark places that offer them shelter from the cold.
Some can also tolerate the cold weather by producing antifreeze proteins that prevent their body fluids from freezing. This keeps their bodies warm during the cold temperatures and helps them to survive until spring.
There are many species of spiders, and each has its own unique method of surviving the winter. Some spiders will spin a cocoon and go into a state of dormancy, emerging only when the weather warms up again. They nestle into the crevices of buildings and trees, wrapping themselves in a web to protect them from the cold. Others will congregate in large groups to share body heat and keep each other warm.
How Spiders Prepare for the Winter Season
Spiders are creatures of adaptation. As the leaves start to fall and the days grow shorter, they begin to prepare for the long winter ahead. Lucky for house spiders, they are able to find plenty of places to build their webs and wait out the winter. Most homes provide ample opportunity for spiders to build their webs, and many people do not mind sharing their space with these eight-legged creatures.
Spiders are not the only ones that benefit from this arrangement. People who live in areas with a lot of spiders often find that their homes are free of other pests, such as flies and mosquitoes.
Some house spiders, the ones that only live for one season, mate and lay their eggs in the autumn so they can die before the coldest months set in. This ensures that their young will have a better chance of surviving the winter.
Others enter into a state of hibernation, slowing down their metabolism and becoming less active. This is one of the reasons why you see fewer spiders in your home during the winter months. They are simply trying to survive the cold by any means necessary.
Spiders That Remain Active During the Winter
As mentioned earlier, not all spiders die during the winter. In fact, their cold-blooded nature allows them to remain quite active, even when the temperature outside is below freezing. If you live in an area where it gets cold enough to snow, you may have noticed spiders in your home that seem to be unaffected by the weather. How did this happen, and which spiders are able to survive the winter?
The truth is, most spiders that you see in your home during the winter are actually indoor spiders that have been there all along. They are able to survive the winter by spinning their webs near sources of heat, such as radiators and fireplaces.
These spiders typically do not venture outside during the winter months, so you are unlikely to see them unless you go looking for them. They may have ventured towards the warmest places inside your home, making it less likely you’ll see them. This is why some people think that house spiders go away on their own during winter, or die. They usually just hide until the weather warms up again.
However, there are some spiders that are able to survive the winter by remaining active. These spiders usually live in areas where the temperature does not get too cold, such as California and Florida.
They are also more likely to be found near sources of food, such as kitchens and pantries. Examples of these spiders may include but are not limited to the brown recluse spider, the hobo spider, and the black widow spider.
Spiders Can Predict the Weather
Since they sense vibrations, spiders can actually predict when bad weather is on the way. This allows them to take shelter and prepare for the winter months. They can also sense changes in barometric pressure, which helps them to know when a storm is coming. When you see thicker webs, it is usually a sign that the spider is preparing for bad weather.
The thick cobwebs that spiders build are not just for show. They actually serve a purpose. The webs are used to trap heat, which helps to keep the spider warm during the winter months. In some cases, the web will also act as an insulator, preventing the cold air from reaching the spider. Aside from using this web to keep warm, spiders will also use it to trap prey.
Can You Get Rid of House Spiders in Winter?
If you’re dealing with a spider infestation during the cold winter months, you may be wondering if there is anything that you can do to get rid of them. After all, most people do not want to share their homes with these eight-legged creatures.
While there’s nothing wrong with sharing a spider or two during the cold months, it makes a bigger problem if you’ve noticed that there are more spiders in your home than usual.
The best way to get rid of house spiders during the winter is to vacuum them up. This will remove them from your home without harming them. You can also use a dust mop or broom to sweep them up. You can bring them to a corner of your home and release them outdoors.
However, if you do not have the intention of killing them, taking them outdoors may not be a good idea. The harsh winter weather can kill them, unless they are able to find the next shelter.
Another thing that you can do is to seal up any openings at home. This way, spiders will stay hidden, preventing them from getting inside your home. You can use weather-stripping to seal up cracks around doors and windows. You can also use a caulk gun to fill in any gaps. Doing this will not only keep spiders out, but will also help to reduce drafts and save energy.
Final Thoughts
Not all spiders die during the winter – some spiders actually enter into a state of hibernation. Others remain active even during the coldest months, hiding under a pile of leaves, in a crack in the foundation, or near a source of heat. For some, they produce antifreeze-like proteins that prevent ice from forming inside their cells.
House spiders, in particular, are known to be quite resilient creatures. So the next time you see a spider in your home during the winter months, don’t be too quick to kill it – it may just be trying to survive the cold. While they can survive the cold temperatures inside your home, their bodies are built for indoors. Indoor spiders survive indoors, and outdoor spiders survive outdoors. Their bodies have been programmed to survive in their specific environments.
