10 Things You’re Doing That Are Inviting Spiders Into the House

I hate spiders -with a passion. I know, most spiders aren’t out to get you—they’re just looking for food, shelter, and a quiet place to spin their webs. But when they start popping up in corners, closets, or under the sink, it’s hard not to feel creeped out.

Some of your everyday habits might be making your home way too appealing to them. If you’ve been seeing more spiders than usual, there’s a good chance one of these things is drawing them in.

Leaving Outdoor Lights On All Night

Outdoor lights attract insects, and insects attract spiders. It doesn’t take long before a few bugs hovering near your porch light become dinner for a web-building spider nearby.

If you don’t want spiders setting up shop near your entry points, try switching to yellow bug lights or putting your lights on a timer. Less light means fewer bugs—and fewer spiders hanging around your doors and windows.

Keeping Windows Open Without Screens

An open window might bring in a breeze, but it can also bring in spiders—especially if there’s no screen or if it’s damaged. Tiny gaps are all they need to crawl inside.

Make sure window and door screens are in good shape and fit tightly. Even small tears can let pests through. A little maintenance now can save you from a surprise spider encounter later.

Letting Clutter Pile Up Indoors

Stacks of boxes, laundry, or random storage bins are perfect hiding spots for spiders. They love undisturbed areas where they can nest and hunt without being noticed.

Decluttering floors, closets, and unused corners makes your home less appealing to them. If you haven’t touched a pile in months, chances are a spider already has. Keep things off the floor and dust regularly to cut down on surprise visitors.

Skipping Regular Vacuuming

Crumbs attract bugs, and bugs attract spiders. Even if you don’t see many insects, they’re likely hiding out in the dark corners or along baseboards—right where spiders go looking.

Vacuuming regularly helps pick up both pests and the webs they leave behind. It also disrupts any eggs they’ve laid. Staying consistent with cleaning is one of the easiest ways to keep spiders from settling in.

Leaving Cardboard Boxes in the Garage or Basement

Spiders love cardboard. It’s dry, dark, and easy to crawl into—and once they find a spot, they usually don’t leave. Basements, attics, and garages are their favorite areas to hide out.

If you need storage, switch to plastic bins with tight lids. They’re less attractive to pests and easier to clean around. Reducing cardboard helps cut down on both spiders and the bugs they feed on.

Not Sealing Gaps and Cracks Around the House

Tiny openings around windows, doors, pipes, or foundation walls make it easy for spiders to sneak inside. Even the smallest gap is big enough for them to crawl through.

Seal cracks with caulk, use weatherstripping on doors, and check for holes around vents or utility lines. Keeping your home sealed up tight makes it harder for spiders to find their way in—and keeps other pests out too.

Bringing Firewood Indoors Too Soon

If you’re storing firewood outside and bringing it in as needed, you might be carrying more than logs. Spiders, especially larger ones like wolf spiders, often hide in woodpiles.

Only bring in what you plan to burn right away, and shake it out before carrying it inside. Keeping firewood stacked away from the house and off the ground helps prevent spiders from nesting in it.

Letting Yard Debris Build Up

Leaves, brush piles, and overgrown garden beds give spiders a great place to hide near your home. From there, it’s only a short crawl to your doors or windows.

Raking up debris, trimming back shrubs, and clearing out dead plants helps reduce the number of spiders nesting around your foundation. The cleaner your yard, the less likely they are to move inside.

Ignoring Other Insect Problems

Spiders follow their food. If you have an ongoing ant, fly, or moth issue, you’re essentially offering spiders a full buffet. They’ll go wherever the bugs are.

Dealing with the root insect problem is key. Once their food source is gone, most spiders move on. Keep your home clean, take care of crumbs and spills quickly, and deal with other pests before they become spider bait.

Leaving Shoes or Towels on the Floor

Spiders love quiet, hidden spots—and an undisturbed shoe or towel left on the floor is the perfect hiding place. That’s why people sometimes find spiders in slippers or laundry piles.

Make it a habit to shake out clothes and shoes before putting them on, especially if they’ve been sitting for a while. Keeping things off the floor can go a long way toward avoiding those unexpected creepy-crawly surprises.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.