Are Spiders Attracted to Heat?

Most spiders are not attracted to heat and will not come into your home because it’s warm inside.

Almost all species that live outdoors are well suited to weather changes. They can survive cold temperatures quite comfortably.

There are thousands of spider species around the world. Some live in colder areas, while others prefer warmer climates. The ones that can live in colder habitats (for example, Common House Spiders) do not need to seek a source of heat to survive. Spiders that live in warmer habitats are also well adapted to colder weather.

Are Spiders Attracted to Heat?

No, most spiders are not attracted to heat and will not come to your home because of the warmth in your house.

The first major reason for this is that the spiders are well adapted to weather swings in their habitat. Take wolf spiders as an example. They primarily prefer warmer climates, but they will not have any problems surviving if the weather turns cold.

Read More: Are Spiders Cold-Blooded?

Several adaptations allow them to survive colder temperatures. The first is the ability to create webs and snuggle inside these webs that will provide enough heat to make them feel comfortable.

Secondly, spiders will seek shelter among rocks, woods and trees, and other hidden areas to seek shelter. These areas will give them just enough cover for survival. They will have no difficulty finding food and water in these areas, especially since many other creatures also seek refuge there.

Lastly, and most importantly, spiders undergo a period of cold hardening before winter begins.

When it gets cold during the night, the body of a spider will start to produce an antifreeze that protects them from the cold. This mechanism is crucial for their survival when the weather gets cold and will use it every time the temperatures dip.

Combined with shelter seeking and webs, spiders can produce more than enough heat for them to survive, so they will not be attracted to heat sources – even though some spider species might be attracted to it.

What Temperatures are Spiders Attracted To?

The ideal temperature for a spider is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (around 21 degrees Celsius), so most spiders will prefer to seek these temperatures for comfortable living.

However, it is not always possible for them to find these types of conditions, especially considering that during the winter, it is rare for temperatures to reach that point anywhere in the world. This means that spiders will have to use the adaptations we’ve discussed above.

Additionally, spiders do not have the ability to change habitats quickly, like birds, for example. They don’t travel quickly enough to change their habitat, so they have to adapt to their surroundings when temperatures start to drop below the 70-degree mark.

For most spiders, these temperatures will usually occur during spring and fall, which is when most of their activities will be done, such as:

• Mating
• Laying eggs
• Maturing
• Gathering food

Living in a habitat where temperatures reach 70 degrees is ideal for most spiders. In these conditions, they’re at their most productive. They’ll start to mate and grow more quickly, and food is also more abundant in these conditions. They will be able to find insects more easily and as a result, they’ll thrive in these periods.

In the winter, some spiders, especially younger spiders, might die as a result of colder temperatures. They can’t produce enough antifreeze, causing them to perish. Adults, however, will rarely have problems surviving when temperatures dip.

Related Article: Are Spiders Attracted to Food?

What Does Heat do to Spiders?

Most spiders are well adapted to heat and will be able to survive even the highest temperatures during the summer. If the temperatures get too high (above 110 degrees Fahrenheit – 43 degrees Celsius), the functions of a spider will start to slow down.

If the period of heat is prolonged, death might occur. Its organs will slowly start to degrade and will eventually fail as they’re unable to cope with the heat.

This will cause their entire body to shut down. After a period of heat, spiders will pass out because of the heat and if they are not brought to a more ideal temperature, their body will start to shut down and they’ll eventually die.

If the period of heat is not that long, then spiders might be able to survive a day or two in such extreme heat. They can undergo several adaptations, as they can survive without eating for several days, as they will seek shelter and hide in a shade when it gets too hot.

Will Spiders Come to Your Home for Heat?

The majority of spiders that come to your home don’t come because it’s warm inside your home, but because they can easily find insects in your home, or they find peace in a corner of your home where they can settle.

Contrary to popular belief, spiders don’t actually come to our homes because of the warmth, but rather, because of the comfort our homes provide to them.

In many homes, there are countless little corners and spaces where spiders can hide to find peace, so they will take full advantage of this. There are no natural predators in our homes, allowing them to become kings of the habitat, especially if no larger animals are present like cats.

Additionally, our homes are often filled with insects and bugs that spiders can catch, and this is one of the main reasons why they’re attracted to our houses in the first place.

Conclusion

Spiders are not necessarily attracted to heat, considering they will have no difficulties surviving warmer temperatures, as well as colder temperatures.

During the winter, they undergo a series of adaptations to survive the cold. Most notably, they start to produce antifreeze, allowing them to withstand the coldest possible temperatures for prolonged periods of time.

Because of this, most spiders will not be attracted to heat, although finding a heat source might make their life just a little bit more comfortable.