It takes well over an hour—and in some cases up to 24 to 40 hours—for a common house spider to drown. Because spiders have an extremely low metabolic rate and hydrophobic hairs that trap a bubble of air around their bodies, they can survive underwater for long periods.
It generally takes an hour or more for a spider to drown. Because spiders have an extremely low metabolic rate, they consume oxygen very slowly. Some semiaquatic species or those that go into a coma-like state can even survive submerged for 16 to 36 hours.
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.
Killing a spider will not inherently attract more spiders. Spiders are solitary hunters and do not use pheromones to signal each other. However, if you see multiple spiders, it usually means your home has an appealing environment with plenty of the insects they feed on.
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 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.
Whether spiders feel pain when killed is a subject of scientific debate, but experts agree they do not experience pain in the same emotional way humans do.
Generally, killing a spider is not considered a sin in most major religions, provided it is done out of necessity or fear of harm. However, the perspective changes if the killing is done for pure sport, cruelty, or malice.
The Bible does not explicitly command how to treat spiders, but it references them to teach both positive and negative spiritual lessons:
No, spiders do not want or ask for your protection. To them, you are essentially a massive, terrifying landscape or a cosmic giant.
Yes, spiders do sleep. They enter a state of reduced activity and lower their metabolic rate to conserve energy. While they lack eyelids and cannot close their eyes, specific spiders—like the jumping spider—have been observed hanging motionless from silk threads, curling their legs, and even experiencing REM-like sleep cycles.
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.
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.
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.
The jumping spider (specifically the Phidippus genus) is widely considered the kindest and most personable spider. Known for their big, curious eyes and distinct personalities, they are highly intelligent, inquisitive, and generally harmless to humans.
Mosquitoes
It's no surprise that mosquitoes were voted the most hated insect by 12.2% of participants. They were also voted the least popular insect in four states. Mosquitoes can cause numerous problems, from spoiling a backyard barbecue to spreading dangerous diseases like West Nile virus.
Spiders do not feed on human blood and do not seek out people at night. When a spider bite happens in bed, it is usually accidental—for example, if a spider becomes trapped in bedding or pressed against skin while you roll over.
Squishing a spider is generally discouraged because it can actually worsen pest problems, release harmful bodily fluids, and unleash baby spiders into your home. Instead of killing them, you can easily catch and release them outside using a simple cup and a stiff piece of paper.
No, spiders do not pee. Like birds and insects, they do not produce liquid urine. Instead, their bodily and digestive wastes are processed into a single, combined waste product.
Whether a spider can sense you looking at them depends almost entirely on the type of spider, specifically how it hunts:
How to Get Rid of Spiders
Spiders primarily lay their eggs in the spring and fall, though specific timing depends heavily on the species.
To coax a spider out of hiding, appeal to its hunting instincts or need for security. Use a vibrating object—like the handle of a battery-powered sonic toothbrush—against the wall or edge of its web to mimic trapped prey. Alternatively, place a few moist cotton balls or a small drop of water in a corner, as spiders frequently emerge to find hydration.