There are many reasons why spiders might take shelter in your home or houseplants. Primarily they’re seeking shelter, warmth, and access to food. Houses provide many hiding spots, such as cracks, crevices, and corners, where they can build webs and nests undisturbed. Indoor environments also often offer a stable temperature and protection from the elements.

Discovering spiders on plants can be unsettling, but you don’t want to let these unwelcome guests spin out of control. If you suspect an infestation or notice signs like webs in corners or along window sills, it's time to take action.

Why spiders like indoor plants

Indoor plants provide spiders with a stable environment and offer protection from predators. Houseplants can also attract insects like flies, gnats, and other small prey, which can serve as a food source for these eight-legged critters. Certain types of spiders are more commonly found on indoor plants, including cellar spiders, cobweb spiders, and jumping spiders.

Common houseplant pests

Several other pests can be attracted to houseplants, including aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats, scale insects, and whiteflies. These plant pests are drawn to the foliage, moisture, and shelter provided by indoor plants, where they can feed on plant sap, reproduce, and cause damage.

Types of plants that can attract spiders

While spiders may inhabit any indoor plant, certain types of plants may provide more favorable conditions for them. Plants with tall, dense foliage that provide hiding spots, such as ivy, ferns, philodendrons, bromeliads, and spider plants, are more likely to attract spiders.

Several general conditions can attract spiders to indoor plants regardless of the plant type. These conditions include:

  1. Moisture: House plant bugs are attracted to areas with high humidity levels and/or damp conditions. Overwatering plants or allowing water to accumulate in saucers beneath pots can contribute to these conditions.
  2. Organic debris: Accumulated organic matter, such as fallen leaves, dead plant material, or mulch, can provide hiding places for spiders on plants.
  3. Darkness: Spiders prefer dark, undisturbed areas, so poorly lit corners or areas with clutter around plants can attract them.
  4. Warmth: Spiders are more active in warmer environments, so indoor plants located near heat sources like radiators or heating vents may attract them.

Will spiders damage your plants?

Spiders themselves typically do not cause direct damage to plants. They are predators that feed on other indoor plant bugs, including ones that might harm plants. In fact, having spiders around can help control populations of common plant pests like aphids, flies, and caterpillars.

While spiders on plants are generally beneficial for plant health because they control pest populations, excessive spider activity could potentially impact plant growth and appearance.

Now you may be wondering if there are spiders in your houseplants, can they hurt you, too? In general, spiders are not aggressive toward humans and do not seek out opportunities to bite. However, they may bite if they feel threatened or cornered or if they mistake a person's hand or body for prey.

Keeping spiders away from your indoor plants

To deter spiders from taking up residence in your indoor plants, here are some prevention tips:

  1. Regularly clean your plants: Keep indoor plants and surrounding areas clean and free of debris, dust, and cobwebs.
  2. Prune plant leaves: Trim back overgrown foliage and remove dead leaves from your plants. Spiders and other plant pests can use dense foliage as hiding spots.
  3. Ensure your plants have proper drainage: Proper drainage helps prevent water from accumulating, as moist soil can attract house plant bugs that spiders feed on.
  4. Check your plants for pests: Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pest infestations and address any pest issues promptly.
  5. Seal potential entry points: Seal gaps, cracks, and openings around windows, doors, and walls to prevent spiders from entering your home.
  6. Inspect your houseplants when you buy them: Inspect your newly purchased houseplants before bringing them inside to ensure spiders and other indoor plant bugs don’t hitchhike their way to your home.
  7. Examine other common sources for spiders: Items like firewood, cut flowers, produce from your garden, and outdoor plants can also harbor spiders. Examine these items thoroughly before bringing them into your home.
  8. Monitor your plants for spider activity: Periodically inspect for spider webs, egg sacs, and live spiders on plants. If you find any, gently remove them using a soft brush or vacuum cleaner.

How do I get rid of spiders on my plants?

If spiders have become a persistent issue in your home, it's best to seek professional help. Terminix offers comprehensive spider control and removal services to address infestations effectively. Our trained technicians can assess the situation, implement targeted treatments, and provide ongoing monitoring to ensure spiders are eliminated and prevented from returning.

Don't let spiders take over your home – schedule a spider inspection with Terminix and prevent them with our annual pest control plan, PestFree365! Spiders are one of the 25 pests covered with a Terminix PestFree365 pest control plan.*

*Coverage includes: "House" Ants, Bird Mites, Indoor Ticks, Cockroaches, Carpet Beetles, Fabric Moths, Overwintering Insects, Ground Beetles, Centipedes, Crickets, Earwigs, Firebrats, Millipedes, Clover Mites, Pillbugs/Sowbugs, Psocids, Scorpions, Silverfish, Paper Wasps, Springtails, Spiders, Stored Product Beetles, Stored Product Moths, Mice, and Rats.