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What Happens To Spiders In The Winter?

December 1, 2021 Homeowner Tips

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Unlike many other pests, spiders don’t become less active in the winter. In fact, many property owners start to notice spiders in their homes more and more during colder months. But how is this possible for such small, cold-blooded creatures? By learning how spiders survive the winter, you’ll learn why they can be a big problem for you during this time of the year.

What Spiders Do In Winter

Most creepy crawly bugs must find shelter from the cold in order to survive the winter. Many burrow into the ground where the earth’s heat stays trapped, but many find ways to invade homes and businesses — not just for warmth but for the food and water they provide, too. This is the way most winter infestations begin. But spiders don’t need to get indoors to survive. They have a built-in anti-freeze system that prevents them from freezing. That isn’t to say that spiders won’t come indoors, however, especially as the pests they feed on are driven to seek shelter. Indeed, spider infestations are often the first sign that property owners get that larger pest populations are nearby. It’s for this reason that spider prevention is really about protecting your home from invasive pests of all kinds.

Winter Spider Prevention

While you should work on winter pest prevention in the late summer and fall, before the cold weather drives pests indoors, there is never a bad time to get started on the things that keep pests out. Not only should you focus on specific things that prevent spiders from gaining access to your property, but you should also focus your efforts on making it less attractive to all kinds of invasive pests. Here are some ways you can accomplish this:

Cracked sealing: Critters don’t need much of an opening to squeeze through and gain access inside walls and foundations. For this reason, routinely check for damage and make any repairs needed.

Doors & windows: The space beneath your doors can be wide open channels for pests to gain access. The same goes for window screens, which can provide access points if tears are present.

Wood storage: Spiders prefer woody environments, making excess yard debris or woodpiles a haven for them.

Food storage: Spiders don’t eat our food, but the foraging bugs they hunt sure do. Keep food stored in secure locations and bins, and deep clean regularly for crumbs or spills.

Trash storage: Bugs can survive on the scraps we throw away, so proper garbage storage and disposal are important for pest prevention.

Take Action With Professional Pest Control

As pests that can not only survive but thrive during the winter, spiders are a serious concern for local property owners. They can bite people — some are more dangerous than your average house pest — and spiders also indicate other pest problems. To protect against the range of pests that bring spiders to your property in the winter, turn to professional resources. 

Get started on proper winter spider prevention with professional pest control services. Need a recommendation? We’ve got it! We work with the top service providers across the nation. Give us a call, and we’ll get you connected to the best local pros.