Where Do Spiders Go in the Winter?
When winter rolls around, we usually worry less about our greenery, especially if you live in areas like Indiana. Due to the harsh weather conditions during this season, you might notice fewer insects outside your home.
One of the insects that causes terror is spiders. You might start to wonder where do they go? Are they inside your home?
Where Do Spiders Go in the Winter?
The biggest myth surrounding spiders is that they will come inside to escape the cold winter. Spiders that are adapted to outside conditions will typically not survive inside and vice versa.
Out of approximately 170 species of spiders, about 137 live outside, 25 live indoors, and eight can survive both inside and outside, meaning where spiders go in the winter depends on the type of spiders that have settled in or around your home.
Different species will:
- Lay eggs at different times of the year
- Have various lifespans
- Adapt for the winter
When Do They Lay Eggs?
The most direct answer is that spiders lay eggs throughout the whole year, depending on the species, but most will lay eggs in spring or fall.
Laying Eggs in the Spring
But some species of spiders will lay eggs during the spring. Once these baby spiders hatch, they will be able to survive the winter as young nymphs. These include:
- Wolf spiders
- Jumping spiders
- Running spiders
Laying Eggs in the Fall
Many species of spiders will lay their eggs in the fall. The female spider will look for a safe and warm place for their egg sacs. Those baby spiders that will hatch, however, aren’t made to live in the winter.
Some of these include:
- Black and yellow garden spider
- False black widow spider
- Giant lichen orb weaver
Hatching doesn’t last all winter. What happens is that the spiderlings hatch but remain inside the sac to keep warm. An egg sac can contain anywhere from 150 to 200 eggs.
When the warmer weather begins, those that survived will use their fangs to make a hole in the sac. They will emerge through this hole and start looking for a new home.
A Spider’s Lifespan
The lifespan of a spider, depending on its species, is about one year or more. Those that live a year are among the spiders that lay their eggs in the fall. They dedicate their lives to preparing a safe place for the next generation.
Spiders like the tarantula or the fishing spider can live longer and are amongst the spiders that lay eggs in the spring. To survive the winter, they try to seek refuge to hibernate under tree bark and rocks. Others can hide between the ground and the snow, making holes in the soil or spinning a web in their hiding place.
Adapt For the Winter
You see fewer spiders during this season because they are cold-blooded creatures, which means their body temperature depends on their environment.
To be able to survive, their body naturally produces a chemical called polyhydroxy alcohol. This chemical acts as an “ antifreeze ” that works with the existing fluids in their bloodstream to prevent ice crystals from forming inside their bodies.
Need to Get Rid of Spiders?
YES Pest Control experts have you covered when it comes to dealing with your pesky intruders. Our services include inspecting, managing, exterminating, and preventing spiders that are bugging you.
Contact us today to see how our green pest control services can help you!
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