Why We See More Spiders In The Fall

Towards the end of summer and heading into fall, folks start seeing more spiders lurking about, indoors and outside. If you're thinking, "Yeah, that's me," we have good news for you. Today, we will explain why you see those spiders around your Hampton Roads home and what you can do about them.  

Spring spiders appear in late summer and early fall

Virginia residents have more spider sightings during this time of year because they're seeing adult spiders that hatched in the spring. During the spring, we see a refresh in spider populations. Many spiders die off during the winter due to a lack of food availability or the end of their life cycles. Therefore, we start in spring with fewer spiders.

Spiders grow all summer and are fully grown by the end of the season. It is hard not to notice them when they're hanging out in their webs or sitting in unexpected places—like on the bathroom floor.

Late summer and early fall spider mating season

Another reason Virginia residents have more spider sightings this time of year is that male spiders are on the move, looking for mates. When a spider reaches its adult stage, it is not only larger but also sexually mature. A sexually mature spider will look for a mate; you may see it while it is out and about.

Spider activity heading into fall

Sometimes, we have a few cold snaps in the fall. When temperatures dip sharply, it can send temperature-sensitive insects indoors, and when insects head inside your home, spiders follow. Activity like this is most prevalent in fall and early winter, but it can also happen during the summer. And it’s not just cold weather, either. If we have heavy rains or flooding, insects may seek higher ground. If we have droughts or heat waves, insects may go indoors for moisture and shade.

Simply put, there are just more spiders around

Although it can seem like there are a lot more spiders around than earlier on in the year, the simple truth is you’re just noticing them more. They’re bigger, they’re more active, and they’re showing up inside and out. 

Rather than put up with spiders this fall, why not take steps to prevent arachnids from taking over now? Keep reading to find out how. 

Spider prevention tips 

Spiders live near (or inside) your home because they feed on other pests. The following tips will help you control spiders and the pests they eat.

• Knock down spider webs and destroy egg sacs. 
• Reduce exterior lighting or switch to yellow light to discourage flying insects.
• Keep lids on all trash receptacles so that bugs can’t access waste.
• Wash dirty and smelly trash receptacles to make them less attractive to foraging insects (and rodents).
• Rake leaves, pick up sticks, and remove other organic debris near your home to eliminate potential hiding spots.
• Trim landscape vegetation to reduce humidity.
• Maintain clean gutters to reduce perimeter dampness.
• Seal entry points around window and door frames, pipes, wires, wire conduits, and other areas with gaps.
• Update old weatherproofing materials, such as door sweeps and weatherstripping.
• Repair or replace torn screens.

These prevention methods can help lower pest populations on your property and deter insects from entering your home. 

What about the Joro spider?

This summer, there’s been much hype regarding the Joro spider (Trichonephila clavata). While it’s true that this invasive arachnid has been spreading rapidly across the southeastern United States and is excellent at adapting, reproducing, and defending itself from predators, the stories surrounding it have been exaggerated. Yes, they can grow rather large and are capable of biting, but they aren’t aggressive, and their venom is very weak.

Will you see one in or around your Virginia home this fall? While we cannot rule out the possibility, our pest control specialists have yet to see Joro spiders. According to an article on Virginia Tech's website, dated June 11, 2024, so this spider has found its way to Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, not Virginia.

Contact Getem for spider control in Hampton Roads

For relief from spiders and the insects that attract them, consider signing up for year-round home pest control services with Getem! Available across Hampton Roads, including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk, our ongoing pest plan is the ideal solution for common house-infesting insects, mice, and rats! It includes: 

• Quarterly service
• Exterior pest treatments
• Indoor service, if necessary
• Spider web and wasp nest knock-down (up to one story)
• Free callbacks for covered pests

Don’t put up with pest activity in and around your home; contact Getem Services for the best protection from insects and rodents all year!