A spider on the wall often sparks the same little scene. Someone grabs a glass, slides a piece of paper underneath, and takes the spider outdoors, believing they’re doing a good deed. It feels kinder than squashing it, right? But that spider might not be a lost traveler after all.
Many house spiders are well-suited for indoor living. Experts, including arachnologist Rod Crawford at the Burke Museum, argue that moving them outside can harm them. He emphasizes that you can’t really “return” something to the wild if it never belonged there in the first place. While some house spiders can survive outdoors, many struggle once removed from their cozy indoor habitats.
Spiders and Their Habitat
Many species that we often see indoors are actually adapted to thrive inside homes. According to Crawford, a spider that has adapted to indoor life is often unable to survive outside due to the new conditions. For example, an American house spider may be fine if your yard were in its native South America but would likely struggle in a typical backyard in the U.S.
Outdoor dangers like predators, pesticides, and unpredictable weather can threaten their survival. What seems like a escape can actually turn into a death sentence.
Crawford gives an example of the giant house spider, native to England but found in the Pacific Northwest. While the climate may be similar to its home, this spider is rarely spotted outside and prefers the safety of man-made structures.
The Role of House Spiders
One reason not to rush to evict house spiders is their role in keeping your home pest-free. They help control populations of flies, mosquitoes, and moths. The Burke Museum notes that house spiders are largely harmless and beneficial to humans.
Interestingly, a single visible spider may just be the tip of the iceberg. Indoor spider populations can range from dozens to hundreds, often hiding in corners or crawl spaces.
Crawford recommends not only avoiding killing these spiders but also suggests relocating them within the house, like to the garage or basement, rather than tossing them outside.
Understanding Different Species
However, not all spiders follow the same rules. Native outdoor species can be safely released in a vegetated area nearby. Identifying the spider correctly is essential for knowing how to address it.
Rick Vetter, a retired entomologist from the University of California, Riverside, offers a different perspective. He acknowledges that some spiders may prefer indoor living but also suggests that before homes existed, spiders roamed freely outside. He believes tossing them outside could lead to a better chance of survival.
Conclusion
The bottom line? Not every spider found indoors is meant for the outdoors. Removing them can jeopardize their lives. The general rule is to assume that if a spider is inside your home, it likely prefers it that way. For more information on house spiders, you can visit Burke Museum and Live Science.
