Spiders found in your bathroom tend to be a little smaller than the ones found outdoors, but they still have the same ravenous appetites.
Bathroom spiders eat a lot of the pests that you likely consider worse than the spiders. This includes, ants, flies, earwigs, mosquitoes moths and ticks. In many ways, it’s better to leave the spiders alone rather than try to get rid of them.
Where Spiders in the Bathroom Come From
Contrary to popular belief, spiders generally do not come through the underground bathtub drain to get into your bathroom. This is because most of these drains are U-shaped, and the spiders are unable to crawl up the drain to get into the tub.
Spiders are getting into your home through openings that include air vents, windows, doors, and even cracks in your floors. Once they get inside, they typically look for something to eat or drink, and since there’s moisture in the bathroom, they often head there first.
Spiders do not intentionally get into your tub, but they will climb to the top of the tub and accidentally fall into it. Afterward, it is almost impossible for them to get out because it is slippery and has rounded corners. This is why you often see spiders in your bathtub and even the lavatory.
They make it to the top, but then they are unable to crawl to get out, and they can’t make a web, either, which is another barrier to them getting out of the tub.
Are Bathroom Spiders Harmless?
Most bathroom spiders are completely harmless. Keep in mind that spiders don’t like people and will avoid them whenever possible. Most household spiders are also very small, and all spiders will eat common household pests such as insects.
This means that in most ways, spiders are not only harmless but are actually advantageous because they get rid of a lot of the insects and other pests in your home.
On the rare occasion when you find a large spider in your home, it is still likely to be harmless, but many homeowners choose to get rid of it anyway.
Things That Household Spiders Like to Eat
Spiders eat mostly insects, and these insects are commonly found in your home, whether you realize it or not. Here are just a handful of the insects that spiders love to eat:
- Ants
- Cockroaches
- Crickets
- Earwigs
- Flies
- Mayflies
- Mosquitoes
- Moths
- Ticks
Bathroom spiders also eat any other tiny creatures and pests that they find in your home, so you’ll definitely have fewer pests if there are a few household spiders there.
If the spiders in your bathroom are bigger than average, they may also eat things such as grasshoppers and crickets, but these creatures are usually not found indoors, and besides, a lot of spiders aren’t big enough to eat them.
But if the pests are the right size and they’re available, the spider will eat them.
Will Spiders Leave If There is No Food?
Generally, spiders will leave if they cannot find food to eat in your home. But remember that spiders do not have to eat every single day to survive. Spiders usually enter your home because they’re looking for either food or moisture (water).
They need the latter to shed their skin so they can grow. Most spiders can go 30–60 days without eating, but they might still be there to find water, which is helpful for many reasons for their body.
What Do Spiders Eat If There are No Flies?
Spiders eat more than just flies, so there are lots of other pests they can eat if they can’t find flies.
Spiders eat mostly insects, but if there are not enough insects around and they’re still hungry, they often go for other tiny creatures that may not be included under the “insect” category but which still are able to satisfy the spiders’ appetites.
If it’s small enough for the spider to eat it and the spider needs food, that particular creature will soon be eaten.
Check out the massive amount of bugs that spiders eat in the video below.
Do Spiders Drink Water?
Yes, spiders do drink water. Their bodies need to remain hydrated, or they die. This is why you often find them in your bathroom at drier times of the year, such as fall and winter.
Since your bathroom is very humid and the dampest place in your home, there’s little wonder why they gravitate towards it.
Spiders usually get enough moisture by eating their prey, but if they don’t, they’ll find water puddles, dew drops on leaves, or anywhere else they can find moisture and dampness.
Conclusion
Bathroom spiders are generally small and therefore eat lots of insects and pests. They usually enter a home to find either food or water, and they can find water or dampness in the bathroom, which is why that is such a popular room for them.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.