Why Spiders Come Indoors in Fall

 

Spiders come indoors in the fall because they are searching for warmth, shelter, and, in some cases, a mate. As the weather outside becomes cooler and less hospitable, many spiders look for safe environments where they can survive, hunt for food, and complete their life cycles. Your home offers everything they need: warmth, protection from predators, and sometimes access to insects they can eat.

 

Seasonal Behavior and Temperature Changes

 

When temperatures start to drop in the fall, outdoor conditions get tougher for spiders. Many species are not adapted to survive cold weather. While some spiders are content to stay outside under leaves or bark, others seek out spaces that stay warmer and safer—like inside homes, garages, basements, and sheds. These areas protect spiders from the cold, rain, and sudden weather changes.

 

Breeding and Seeking Mates

 

Fall is the mating season for many common house spiders. Male spiders begin to wander in search of females, which are often stationary and waiting in webs. This wandering dramatically increases spider activity both outside and inside homes. The spiders you notice indoors in fall are often males on the move, searching for mates. Most indoor spider sightings during this season are of these harmless males, not dangerous or aggressive species.

 

Availability of Food and Shelter Indoors

 

Homes often provide abundant food for spiders, especially if there are small insects indoors. In addition, cracks, gaps, and little-used spaces give spiders places to hide, create webs, and lay eggs. Compared to the unpredictable environment outside in the fall, these indoor spaces are perfect shelters.

 

How Spiders Get In

 

Spiders do not “invade” on purpose, but rather enter through openings they find while searching for warmth and food. They get inside through:

• Gaps under doors and around windows
• Cracks in foundations or walls
• Vents, cables, and pipe openings
• Poorly sealed screens or doors

Most spiders are small and agile, needing only the tiniest gaps to enter.

 

Key Points to Remember

 

• Spiders enter homes mainly in fall to escape cooler outdoor temperatures, not because they specifically want to be near humans.
• This migration is natural and mostly involves harmless spiders looking for warmth or mates.
• If you want to reduce their presence, seal entry points, keep areas clean, and manage other insect populations that spiders might feed on.
• Most indoor spiders will die off or leave again once winter passes and outside conditions improve.

By understanding these behaviors, you can take simple steps to keep spiders out if desired, or simply recognize that their presence is a temporary and natural part of the changing seasons.