Spiders in the Bathroom – How They Got There & How to Get Rid of Them

Have you ever heard that you are never more than a few feet away from a spider? While the science on that statement is hard to pin down, we do know that nearly every home, building, and structure has a few eight-legged residents. Some areas seem to have more arachnid invaders than others. For example, spider infestations are frequently spotted in basements, closets, attics, garages, and bathrooms.

Sharing your space with a spider isn’t always a bad thing. These pests are quiet roommates and they help out around the house by eating annoying mosquitoes, cockroaches, earwigs, moths, fleas, and other bugs that make their way inside. But, some people find eight creepy-crawly legs a bit unnerving, and we totally get it. Find out why bathrooms are a common place to find spiders lurking around, and how you can get rid of them.

What Species of Spiders are Common in Bathrooms?

The type of spider you’re most likely to encounter in the bathroom is a common house spider. They will spin webs in corners and undisturbed areas where they wait to catch prey. These spiders feed exclusively on live insects and are not attracted to other food sources. However, the insects they eat may be attracted to organic matter or moisture—which is what makes bathrooms so popular. They’ll lurk in the dark, near damp showers or sink drains; spinning small spider webs that catch any insects foolish enough to cross their paths.

Another common species you may come across in the bathroom is the Giant House Spider. These spiders like the bathroom areas for the same reason as mentioned above, moisture. They spin their webs in this area to capture other insects that are in search of moisture. 

There are hundreds of other spider species in the United States, and most of them are harmless. Black widows and brown recluses are the most notorious poisonous spiders, but they are not as common as you might expect. In fact, you’re over 100 times more likely to be bitten by a dog than one of these pests—thankfully most spider bites are not considered medically serious. If you think you have been bitten by a dangerous spider, you should consult a medical professional for advice.

How Do They Get There?

Common house spiders are rather small, usually only about a quarter of an inch in size. Squeezing through tiny cracks and crevices, and finding their way inside is no challenge for them. Easy entrances for them include small gaps and openings around doors, windows, floorboards, and air vents. Following plumbing or utility lines are also easy ways for them to creep inside.

Since spiders are sneaky by nature—never making a sound and favoring dark, undisturbed areas—they are experts at moving around undetected. They can easily slip underneath a closed door in the middle of the night; making for an unpleasant surprise when you sleepily wander into the bathroom early the next morning.

Homeowners often wonder how a spider ends up in the bathtub or shower. Could it be they’re coming in from the drain? No. In fact, it’s most likely they were out in search of moisture or a place to spin their web and ended up in these areas.  

How to Get Rid of Spiders in the Bathroom

There are natural pest control remedies for eliminating these pests which include using peppermint oil, white vinegar, eucalyptus oil and lemongrass. A simpler solution is to place pouches of Stay Away® Spiders, a botanical deterrent, in areas where you’ve noticed spider activity. The pouches are made using a combination of essential oils including rosemary, lemongrass, citronella and other plant-based ingredients which, when combined, create an odor that repels spiders. 

Remember that these pests prefer unused and undisturbed hiding places. Therefore, another easy way to get rid of spiders is to make sure that your home is unwelcoming to them. Here are a few DIY steps to take: 

• Clean your bathroom often, wipe up any damp areas, and knock down cobwebs: Keeping this space clean will keep most insects away, not just spiders. This also eliminates the possibility of them finding other insects to eat which will send them elsewhere for food sources.

• Seal cracks in your window sills and floors: You’ll want to eliminate entryways they may take into your bathroom. This includes cracks in your windows and floors that lead outside.
• Consider plants in your bathroom: There are certain smells they dislike, as mentioned above, so having these kinds of plants in your bathroom can give the area a fresh smell while also deterring spiders.

Stay Away® Spiders is the simplest way to deter spiders from a known infested area while also preventing them from returning. The fast-acting, botanical oils work to keep these unwanted invaders away from your home for 30 days. Find Stay Away® Spider online or at a retailer near you.