Yes, spiders do sleep, though their slumber looks very different from ours.
To tell if a spider is sleeping, look for a curled-up posture where the legs are pulled in tightly against the body. Unlike humans, spiders don't close their eyes when they sleep. Instead, you can identify a resting spider by its cozy stance and reduced movement.
Squishing Can Create More Problems
Unlike some insects, squishing spiders can sometimes: Spread eggs if it's a female carrying young. Leave behind messes or stains. Prevent proper identification.
Spiders strongly dislike the scent of peppermint. They are also highly repelled by other strong, naturally pungent aromas like tea tree oil, eucalyptus, citrus, and vinegar.
Yes, spiders can hear you talk, even though they do not have ears. They pick up sound waves in the air using the tiny, ultra-sensitive hairs on their legs and bodies. These hairs vibrate in response to your voice and transmit those signals to their nervous system.
No, spiders cannot cry. They completely lack tear ducts and the emotional capacity to experience sadness or grief, which are the main triggers for human tears.
The Bible does not explicitly command how to treat spiders, but it references them to teach both positive and negative spiritual lessons:
To kill a spider instantly, use a physical method like a shoe or a hard object, or spray it directly with a contact insecticide (e.g., Hot Shot Spider & Scorpion Killer) or a household degreaser like Windex. The force of a vacuum cleaner or a swift swat also eliminates them immediately.
Is It Safe to Sleep With a Spider in the Room? It's not ideal, but yes—most spiders in our area are completely harmless. They'd much rather avoid you than bite you. In fact, even our venomous species usually only bite if they feel threatened.
Spiders primarily lay their eggs in the spring and fall, though specific timing depends heavily on the species.
Occasionally, a spider could get out of a vacuum. If it doesn't die from the initial trauma, a spider can escape the vacuum – but only if there are gaps big enough for them to get through and a surface they can climb.
Whether it is bad luck to kill a spider depends entirely on which folklore you believe.
Humanity and terrestrial ecosystems would likely collapse without spiders. As the primary natural predator for billions of insects, spiders consume roughly 400 to 800 million tons of prey annually. Without them, unchecked insect populations would decimate global food crops and cause widespread famine and disease.
Other bugs tend to gravitate toward bright colors, like yellow, white, or orange. So while green attracts spiders, it repels their food sources. The color that spiders tend to hate is light blue. People don't just paint their porches light blue for the aesthetic.
Spiders spend most of their time sitting still to conserve energy while waiting for prey. Depending on the species, they split their time between ambushing insects, maintaining their webs, sleeping, and—for some males—roaming around to find a mate.
To lure a spider out, exploit its natural drive for food and security. Place live prey (like a cricket or fly) near its hiding spot, or gently create vibrations on a nearby web to mimic a trapped insect. Alternatively, use an inverted cup, a piece of paper, and a vacuum attachment for hard-to-reach areas.
Routine, thorough house cleaning is the best way to eliminate spiders and discourage their return. A vacuum cleaner or broom effectively removes spiders, webs, and egg sacs. Destruction of egg sacs is crucial since each can contain hundreds of young spiders.
Spiders generally hate strong, pungent scents and disturbances to their webs. They are primarily deterred by:
Spiders hide in dark, quiet, and undisturbed places where they can avoid movement and find smaller insects to eat. In bedrooms, they most commonly nest under furniture, in closets, and in clutter.
Squishing a spider is never a good idea because it can unleash hidden egg sacs, release foul-smelling pheromones that attract other bugs, and destroy a natural, free pest-control system that targets disease-carrying insects in your home.
Spiders enter houses primarily in search of food (other insects), moisture, and dark, undisturbed shelter. If your home provides a reliable food source or attractive living conditions, it will naturally draw them in.
Scientists don't have a definitive consensus, but it is unlikely spiders feel pain the way humans do. While they possess nociceptors (receptors that detect harmful stimuli to trigger evasive reflexes), they lack the complex brain structures required to process emotional distress or suffering.
In most religious and ethical traditions, killing a spider is not considered a sin. It is generally viewed as an acceptable act of pest control, especially if the spider is venomous, poses a threat to your safety, or is invading your home.
Depending on whether you find literal monsters or terrifying spiritual entities scarier, the Bible has a few contenders. The Leviathan and the Abyss Locusts are often considered the most fearsome.
In folklore and witchcraft, spiders symbolize manifestation, fate, and the weaving of magic. Just as a spider spins a web to catch its prey or build a home, it represents the idea that we actively weave our own circumstances and destinies.