Stop killing spiders in your house, you are making a big mistake, See Why
Let’s be honest—arachnophobia, or the fear of spiders, is incredibly common. Even if you don’t completely freak out at the sight of one, chances are you’ve still felt a little uneasy watching one skitter across the floor or hang out in a corner of your ceiling. But before you grab a slipper or run for cover, here’s a thought: spiders aren’t out to get you, and there are actually a few good reasons to let them be.
No, You’re Not Swallowing Them in Your Sleep
First things first—let’s clear up a big myth: you’re not swallowing spiders while you sleep. It’s just not true. Spiders have no interest in crawling into your mouth or anywhere near your sleeping face. In fact, they prefer to avoid humans altogether and usually hang out in quiet, undisturbed places. Some scientists even believe spiders enter a kind of sleep-like state themselves—maybe even something similar to dreaming. If they are dreaming, they’re probably dreaming about dinner… which, in spider terms, means insects.
They’re Basically Free Pest Control
Spiders are actually nature’s pest control experts. Around the world, they’re estimated to kill 400 to 800 million metric tons of prey every year—most of which are insects. That’s right, spiders are snacking on the very bugs you probably want out of your home: mosquitoes, flies, moths, cockroaches… the real troublemakers.
By hunting and eating these pests, spiders help prevent infestations that could lead to everything from allergic reactions to food contamination. So while their presence might be unsettling at first, their work is actually doing you a favour.
They Help Keep Nature in Balance
It’s not just about your house—spiders also play an important role in the environment. Every creature has its place in the ecosystem, and spiders are key players when it comes to keeping insect populations in check. Their presence can be a sign of a balanced, healthy environment. Take them away, and you could be disrupting the natural balance of your home’s tiny ecosystem.
They’re Not Nearly as Dangerous as You Think
Let’s talk venom, because yes—most spiders are venomous, but that doesn’t mean they’re dangerous to humans. Out of more than 50,000 known spider species in the world, only a handful pose any real risk to people. The rest? Completely harmless.
Most spiders are shy, solitary, and would rather run away than bite. Bites usually only happen when a spider feels directly threatened—like if it’s stepped on or cornered. And even then, many spiders don’t have fangs strong enough to pierce human skin.
They’re Probably More Scared of You
Spiders generally prefer to keep to themselves. You’ll usually find them tucked away in corners, behind furniture, or in basements. So if you spot one, chances are it’s more scared of you than you are of it. It’s just trying to stay out of the way.
And here’s a fun fact: spiders actually have tiny paws—well, technically they’re called tarsi, but they’re soft, sensitive little pads that help them sense vibrations and surfaces. Adorable, right?
Final Thoughts
Sure, spiders might not be your favourite houseguests—but they’re not villains either. They’re quiet, efficient, and doing a job that benefits you way more than you might realise. So the next time you see one hanging out on your wall, consider letting it be. It might just be taking a break, dreaming sweet spider dreams, or keeping your home pest-free one bug at a time.