Arachnophobia is among many people’s biggest fears, so a spider infestation is definitely one many humans don’t want to have in their homes. While most spiders are typically harmless, there may be an underlying reason why they are choosing to infest your property. More often than not, spiders are just looking for a quiet place where they can build their webs and catch a lot of insects for food.
Below you’ll find out just what may be attracting spiders to your house, as well as the common signs that you might have a spider infestation. If you need to control a spider infestation, talk to Ehrlich’s experts at 800-837-5520 or click the button below to schedule your free inspection with us.
Spiders usually move indoors when weather conditions outside change or when they find an easy food source. Cracks, gaps, and open windows make it easy for them to enter, and quiet, cluttered areas give them the perfect place to hide. Homes with high humidity, excess clutter, or plenty of small insects are especially attractive to spiders.
Similar to most pests, spiders become a little more active in the cooler months, looking for food and shelter. As the temperature drops in the fall, spiders come out of their hiding spots and look for a mate. This is when these signs are most often spotted. Towards the end of fall many spiders die off, but some hibernate until the following spring.
If you have a spider problem, you may see one or all of the following signs:
Seeing more spider webs inside your home is a strong sign of a spider problem. While many spiders prefer to spin webs outdoors, some will settle indoors, especially in quiet corners, basements, garages, and storage areas.
If you’re spotting webs in multiple rooms or areas, it could mean spiders are starting to nest, lay eggs, and multiply indoors.
Spiders’ small, silken egg sacs can contain hundreds of spider eggs. These sacs may be fixed to a surface, hidden in the web, or carried by the female. Signs of the sacs fixed indoors indicate that soon there will be more spiders around. Once the eggs hatch, hundreds of those baby spiders can come out, crawling all over the walls and getting into the tiniest spaces and cracks.
Given a spider’s cannibalistic nature, they try to spread out and away from each other and might end up all over your home
Because spiders are predators, their droppings are made up of digested insect parts, which gives them a thick, tar-like consistency. You may notice droppings accumulating in corners, behind furniture, or on surfaces where spiders commonly rest or hunt, though spider droppings aren’t typically as noticeable as the droppings of other pests.
If you start finding clusters of these dark marks in the same area, it could mean that spiders are living or feeding nearby. Cleaning the spots and checking again later can help confirm whether new activity is happening.
As spiders grow, they periodically shed their outer skin, known as an exoskeleton. This process, called molting, allows them to expand in size as they mature. The leftover shells are usually dry, thin, and almost transparent, often taking on the shape of the spider itself.
You might find these molted exoskeletons clinging to webs, tucked in corners, or on window sills and baseboards.
Because spiders tend to molt several times before reaching adulthood, finding multiple sheds in the same area is a strong sign of an active population rather than an isolated spider or two.
Of course, seeing multiple live or dead spiders in the house is a fairly good indicator that you have an infestation.
There are thousands of species of spiders, each preferring a different type of environment for their home. It can be hard to tell what type of spider you are dealing with, so it’s best to contact us for proper identification and removal – we offer both residential and commercial pest control services.
Call now to book your free inspection.
Sometimes, the signs of a spider problem aren’t limited to webs or sightings. Certain environmental conditions or unusual activity can point to an underlying infestation.
Spiders follow their food source, so where there are insects, spiders are likely nearby. A sudden increase in flies, mosquitoes, ants, or other small bugs can attract spiders looking for prey. Eliminating the insects that spiders feed on is one of the most effective ways to reduce spider populations. Professional pest control can help target these food sources and prevent spiders from settling in.
Most spiders are not aggressive and rarely bite, but in some cases, bites may occur accidentally, often when a spider becomes trapped against the skin. Unexplained small red bumps or mild swelling could be the result of a spider encounter, especially if other signs, such as webs or molted shells, are present nearby. If you or your pets experience frequent bites without a clear cause, it’s worth investigating for hidden pests.
Outdoor and indoor lights can attract flying insects, which in turn attract spiders looking for an easy meal. You may notice webs built near porch lights, outdoor fixtures, or windows that face bright areas. Spiders often return to these locations night after night because the light continuously draws new prey.
Switching to yellow or sodium vapor bulbs can reduce insect activity around lights, which helps limit spider presence as well. Keeping exterior lights off when not needed is another simple way to discourage both insects and the spiders that follow them.
Once you recognize the environmental clues and other signs of spider activity, the next step is to check the areas where spiders are most likely to hide. These pests prefer quiet, undisturbed places that provide shelter and easy access to food. In general, spiders can be found in dark, secluded areas, both in your home and garden. Some spider species live in burrows rather than webs, while others are free-ranging and take refuge in crevices. Some species of spiders are attracted to moist environments, so make sure you check your basements, walls, sheds, and other damp locations. Other species can be found in places such as attics, the junction of a wall and ceiling, closets, and storage boxes.
Spiders feed on other insects and prey on ants, flies, woodlice, and other spiders, so where there is a plentiful supply of other insects, spiders will wait to find their next meal. Knowing where to look inside your home can help you identify activity early and take steps to prevent a larger infestation.
These dark, seldom-used areas are ideal for spiders. Basements often have higher humidity and plenty of hiding places, while attics provide warmth and shelter. Look for webs in corners, near beams, or around stored boxes and insulation.
Crawl spaces are one of the most common hiding areas for spiders because they’re cool, dark, and rarely disturbed. Gaps in foundations or vents can allow both spiders and their insect prey to enter. Inspect along floor joists, support beams, and around any utility openings.
Spiders may take shelter behind or beneath heavy furniture, appliances, and electronics where dust and debris collect. Check under couches, beds, refrigerators, and washing machines for webs or molted skins. Vacuuming these areas regularly can help remove spiders and the insects they feed on.
Cracks and gaps around doors and windows are common entry points for spiders. You may find small webs in window corners, along frames, or behind blinds. Check screens for damage and seal gaps with caulk or weatherstripping to prevent access.
Spiders prefer quiet, cluttered areas such as closets, storage rooms, or garages. They often build webs among stacked boxes, hanging clothes, or stored holiday decorations. Keeping these spaces organized and well-lit helps reduce hiding spots.
Warm, humid environments attract both spiders and the insects they feed on. Look in corners, behind sinks, and around water pipes for small webs or droppings. Running ventilation fans and fixing leaks can help keep these rooms less inviting.
Knowing when to call an exterminator for spiders is crucial. If you see signs of a spider infestation around your home, then there could be a reason they are choosing your home as the place to build their webs. It could be something like an infestation of flies or an increased amount of mosquito activity around your home. Part of an Ehrlich home inspection to determine if your property has a spider infestation is looking for those contributing factors.
We offer expert identification of your invading spider species and provide a professional service to control larger infestations. Click the button to get your free spider inspection today.
A spider infestation happens when spiders are breeding indoors and you’re seeing them often throughout the home. Occasional sightings are normal, but if you notice multiple webs, egg sacs, or spiders appearing in different rooms over several weeks, it’s a sign they’ve established themselves.
You may have a spider infestation if you notice several of these signs at once:
Finding dead spiders indoors usually means they’ve lost their food source or environmental conditions have changed. If there are fewer insects to feed on or less moisture, spiders may die off naturally.
Yes. Spider droppings often look like small dark spots or splatters on floors, walls, or surfaces beneath webs. They’re sometimes mistaken for dirt or mildew but tend to look more like ink stains. These droppings are made of digested insect material, so seeing a buildup can indicate active spider feeding areas
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