Why Do I Have So Many Spiders In My Bay Area Home?

If you keep noticing spiders in your Bay Area home, it can be more than a little bit unsettling. It can also bring up questions: Why are spiders coming inside? Isn't there more food outside? (Spiders eat bugs. They don't eat human food.) This is the mystery we're going to tackle today. Here's why you have spiders in your Bay Area home.

1. Spiders Get In By Accident

If you have lots of spiders in your home, it is likely that you have gaps and openings that spiders are using to get inside. It is possible to significantly reduce spider activity in your home by sealing potential entry points in your exterior.

• Fix gaps in the weatherstripping around exterior doors.
• Replace door sweeps that aren't creating a good seal.
• Seal gaps around the outside of window and door frames.
• Repair damaged screens.
• Fix broken window or door panes.
• Seal foundation cracks.
• Fill in spaces around pipes, wire conduits, and other foundation penetrations.

2. You May Have Rotting Wood

Spiders are attracted to damp habitats. When your exterior gets damp, it can lead to wood rot. This attracts wood-destroying pests. These pests create holes that spiders can use to get into your home. If you're seeing lots of spiders inside your home, it is possible that you have a moisture problem.

• Inspect your home.
• Repair any rotting wood.
• Address wood-to-soil contact.
• Use a caulking gun to fill in holes until you have time to replace the rotting wood.

3. You May Be Letting Webs Sit

Webs can be a source for spider reproduction. When you see webs on the outside of your home, on the inside of your garage, in attic spaces, and in other interior spaces, it is important to get rid of them. One female can create an egg sac with hundreds of eggs in it. When those eggs hatch, lots of little spiderlings come out. If you're not actively removing webs, you're letting the spider population grow.

4. You May Have An Insect Problem

If you've ever had a fruit fly infestation, you may have noticed that webs start appearing along with those flies. Spiders eat flies and other insects. When you have trouble with insects, it can lead to trouble with spiders. The best way to reduce spider sightings inside your Bay Area home is to address insect infestations quickly.

5. You May Have Leaks

Spiders need water more than they need food. A spider can go a lot longer without food than it can water.

• When faucets leak, they leave a constant supply of tiny water droplets in your sinks, tubs, and showers. Those little droplets are more than enough water for a spider.
• When pipes leak or have condensation, they can provide an easy drink for spiders. If you have a very slow leak that you've put a bucket under, keep in mind that it could be giving spiders a drink.
• When you leave water sitting in a dish on the floor for your pet, you're also watering the spiders.

6. You May Just Be Seeing More Spiders

It is possible to not have more spiders, but just to start seeing them more. When spiders enter into their mating season, they can start to be more visible inside your home as they go searching for a mate. This may be the only reason you're seeing more spiders. We hope so.

7. Something May Be Driving Them In

When conditions outside are unfavorable, spiders can head inside. Since most spiders prefer damp habitats, times of drought can drive them into Bay Area homes. If you're seeing more spiders, it might be due to a lack of rainfall.

8. You Don't Have A Pest Control Program

Perhaps the biggest reason Bay Area homes have spiders is that they don't have an effective pest control plan. Routine treatments to the exterior of your home can keep spiders out. This is where we can help.

If you live in the Bay Area, reach out to Bay Pest and schedule a pest control inspection for your home. We can guide you toward a customized pest control plan to keep spiders and other important pests out of your home.