Spiders might be one of the most unsettling creatures to share your living space with. Most of us recoil at the thought of an arachnid in the corner, perhaps instinctively reaching for a shoe or a tissue to squash the invader. But what if we told you that crushing spiders could actually be the wrong choice?
Why You Should Never Crush Spiders?
It’s a reaction many of us know too well: spotting a spider scurrying across the floor and instantly wanting to eliminate it. However, experts suggest you hold off on that urge. Here’s why: most of the spiders you encounter in your home are harmless. Yes, even those that seem to crawl out of nowhere, appearing out of the shadows, are typically not dangerous. In fact, many spiders are beneficial to have around.
Contrary to popular belief, spiders help regulate the population of other pests in your home. They feast on flies, mosquitoes, and ants—pests that can bring diseases or simply be a nuisance. By allowing spiders to live, you’re giving nature a helping hand in keeping these unwanted guests under control.
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What Is Their Role in Your Home?
With more than 50,000 species of spiders across the globe, it’s no surprise they’ve made their way into our homes. While some enter by accident, others deliberately seek out our indoor spaces. Why? Well, spiders are looking for warmth, shelter, and a consistent food source—all of which can often be found inside our homes.
Spiders are natural predators. They thrive by catching other insects, and in doing so, help maintain the delicate ecological balance within your home. Even though many of us are uncomfortable with their presence, spiders quietly contribute to the cleanliness and health of your space by keeping the insect population in check. In fact, certain species, like the irregular web spider or the cellar spider, are so adept at this role that they’re found in nearly every home.
How to Safely Handle Spiders
So, what should you do if you find a spider in your home and don’t want to harm it? The best approach is simple: don’t kill it, move it! It’s easy to gently catch a spider with a glass and a piece of paper, and release it outside where it can continue its vital work. This method ensures the spider remains unharmed while still fulfilling its natural role in pest control.
And, by the way, spiders aren’t likely to stray far from their webs. They often stay hidden for weeks, waiting for their next meal to come to them. This means that even if you don’t want them in your living room, they won’t be causing much trouble behind the scenes. Letting them live peacefully could be a small price to pay for the big benefit of keeping your home insect-free.
