Drains are one of the most common places you’ll find spiders in your home. Washing them down the drain might seem like a harmless way to get rid of them, but there are several things you should know about spiders before you decide to flush them away.
In truth, it’s important to know that a spider will not survive a trip down the drain. The spider will be flushed down the drain along with the water and everything else that goes down the drain. The spider will not make it back up your drain and will end up in your sewer system.
Of course, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Read on to take a look at spiders and what washing them down the drain might do to them as well as some alternative ways to keep spiders out of your home!
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Will A Spider Survive Being Washed Down The Drain?
If you’ve been able to identify what kind of spider is in your home and are wondering what to do with it, flushing it down the drain has probably crossed your mind. But, if you don’t want to eliminate the spider, you might be wondering if it will survive this journey down the pipes.
The short answer is no. The spider will not survive. When you wash the spider down the drain, it will be trapped underwater and eventually drown. This can differ however depending on the type of spider involved, as some spiders can survive for as long as an hour without oxygen, meaning they may simply end up on the other end of the sewer system.
This is the exception rather than the rule. Since you are probably going to use the sink or the bathtub at some point, the spider probably won’t be able to stay in its spot for long, so you don’t have to worry about it coming back up.
As there are many different types of spiders in the world, this process will differ from spider to spider. Let’s take a look at the different types of spiders and how they can, or can’t, survive underwater.
However, there are so many spiders in the world that it would be impossible to describe how every spider would react to being flushed down the drain. If you want to know more about spiders and how exactly they react to water, you should talk with an expert on spiders.
Flushing Swimming Spiders Vs. Non-Swimming Spiders
If you’ve ever been to a lake or a river, you might have seen some spiders swimming in the water. It might seem surprising then that a spider being washed down the drain doesn’t have great chances of survival, but this is because most spiders are non-swimming spiders.
There are many different types of spiders, and some are better swimmers than others. One great example of this is the diving bell spider, which spends almost its entire life underwater. This amazing species creates its air bubble so that it can breathe while otherwise surrounded by water.
Diving bell spiders get their name from their diving bell webs. These underwater webs are used to trap prey just like normal webs. Some of these spiders will live their entire life in their web and never come out from underwater.
Luckily, you don’t have to worry about these spiders building a web in your bathtub. Diving bell spiders wouldn’t make a web where they wouldn’t be able to catch any prey, so unless you have a bunch of insects and plants inside your bathtub, you’re not going to be finding any diving bell webs.
Other species of spiders are semiaquatic, meaning they live both in and outside of water. These spiders are very good swimmers, but they would not be able to swim against the water going down a drain. Even if they could, they wouldn’t last very long because of the amount of water.
Semi-aquatic spiders can swim, but they can’t breathe underwater. Since a spider wouldn’t be able to get oxygen once it has been flushed down a drain, it wouldn’t be able to breathe even if it could swim.
Most spiders, especially the kind you will find in your house, are not aquatic. In other words, they are non-swimming spiders. Their bodies are not equipped for getting wet, and they won’t survive underwater for very long.
What Happens When Non-Swimming Spiders Get Wet?
Swimming spiders are adapted to water and would have no problem getting themselves out of a puddle. Their anatomy is different from non-swimming spiders. Swimming spiders can walk on water, meaning they don’t even need to swim sometimes.
Non-swimming spiders are not that lucky. As soon as they touch just the surface of the water, their legs will start to stick together, meaning they won’t be able to maneuver. Unless there is something that the spider can use to get itself out of the water like a stick or a leaf, the chances of non-swimming spiders surviving once they get wet is very slim.
This is the case with most spiders that you’ll encounter in your home, including the most common type of spider, the daddy long legs. These spiders are found all over the world and, though they are harmless, can become a bit of a nuisance. They aren’t very pretty to look at, and they can be a bit difficult to catch.
However, they, like most spiders, are non-swimmers. So, they have virtually no chances of surviving a trip down the drain.
How Do Spiders Get Into Your Drain?
It might seem like the spiders are coming up through your drain, but this is not the case. There are preventative measures within plumbing systems to keep insects and other pests from getting through the pipes.
This might seem surprising since drains are one of the most common areas to find spiders. This is because spiders, like humans, need water to survive, and drains are an easy place to find water. Spiders also like dark areas, and the inside of a drain is rather dark.
Since spiders aren’t coming from your drain, you might be wondering where they do come from. Unless they have a nest inside your house, they are coming from the outside.
A spider’s natural habitat is the outdoors. Most live in woods or in bushes or trees where they can easily create a web. If you have any of these things near your house, they are probably coming from there.
The easiest way for spiders to get in is through open doors or cracked windows, but spiders are also very good at crawling through cracks or vents. If they’re small enough, crawling under a door is no problem for a spider. Then, they crawl into your drain because it provides a dark and damp shelter.
If you have any plants by your windows or don’t keep your porch well-swept and dusted, this could be a reason why spiders are finding their way into your house. Keeping these areas clean is key to warding off spiders.
For tips on how to keep spiders away from your drain, try reading this article that shows 9 Simple Tricks to Keep Spiders Out Of Your Shower Drain!
Where Does A Spider Go After Being Washed Down The Drain?
When you flush a spider down the drain, it goes the same place where anything else that goes down the drain goes. After working its way through your plumbing system, the spider will find its way to the sewer system.
Though some movies might want you to believe that all drains lead to the ocean, this isn’t necessarily true. Flushing spiders or any other animals down the drain will not free them, so if you’re trying to release the spider into the wild, it’s best to just carry it outside.
If you’re worried about the hygienic aspect of flushing a spider down the drain, there’s no need. Sewage systems are designed to deal with insects. It also will not clog your drain.
Though, if you don’t have the most advanced plumbing system, you should talk with a plumber or expert on pest control. They might have some other ideas of ways to get rid of spiders. But to get you started here are some ideas about how to get rid of them.
If you’d like to learn more about keeping spiders out of your bathroom, check out our article: 11 Ways To Keep Spiders Out Of Your Shower And Bathroom.
How Do I Get Rid Of Spiders?
Unless the spiders you’re finding are poisonous, there’s no need to eliminate them. If you capture the spider in a cup, you can take it outside and set it free. Just make sure you take it far away enough from your house that it can’t find its way back easily.
However, if spiders are infesting a particular area, or if they are poisonous, it might be necessary to get rid of them. If you don’t want to get your shoes dirty by stepping on them, or if you’re afraid of getting bitten, there are some spider sprays that you can use to eliminate them.
This Natural Armer Spider Killer & Repellent Spraywill eliminate spiders on contact.It will also help keep spiders out in the future since it will repel any more spiders from coming to the area you’ve sprayed. Since the ingredients are natural and it has a peppermint scent, you don’t have to worry about any toxins damaging your house.
If you consistently have problems with spiders, or if you don’t like them, it’s best to consult with an expert about your issue. While there is plenty that you can do on your own to keep spiders out, no methods are 100% effective. Depending on your situation, an expert can help you more effectively keep your house free of insects.
How Do I Keep Spiders Out Of My House?
Luckily, there are some tricks to keeping spiders out of your house. No method is 100% effective, and if you have a basement or an attic, it might be impossible to keep your house completely free of spiders.
There are a few steps you can take to help keep spiders out of your house. Some methods to repel spiders include using:
- Mint
- Diatomaceous Earth
- Citrus
- Vinegar
Keeping your house clean will keep your house free of roaches, flies, mice, and other undesirable pests. However, having a few spiders around might keep other insects under control.
If you want to take some extra measures in keeping your house spider-free, try a spider repellent.This Mighty Mint Spider Repellentis made of all-natural ingredients and has a bit of peppermint oil. Not only will you be keeping spiders out of your house, but the peppermint will smell nice, too!
Spiders especially love dark areas and corners, so if you concentrate your cleaning efforts and spray more heavily in these areas, you will be more effective in warding off spiders. Spiders also love dusty areas where they can spin their cobwebs, so make sure you keep everything well-dusted and get rid of any cobwebs you find.
Another classic trick to warding off spiders is to make sure there are no cracks in your walls or other places where spiders can get in. Although spiders won’t be coming up through your drains, spiders are extremely skilled at squeezing through small spaces. Keeping your doors and windows shut at night will also help.
Additionally, take a look at our spider repelling guide: 8 Scents That Spiders Hate (and How to Use Them)
Spiders: In Summary
Unless you’re keeping one as a pet, spiders probably aren’t something you want in your house. They aren’t necessarily dangerous provided they aren’t venomous, but seeing one is enough to keep you up at night worrying.
If you flush a spider down the drain, it probably won’t survive unless it has Spiderman powers. If you don’t want to flush the spider down the drain, the best option is to take it outside and set it free.
Luckily, there are plenty of natural, environmentally friendly ways to prevent spiders from coming into your home. This means you don’t have to worry about getting rid of them and can feel safe when you go to sleep at night.
If you have persistent problems with spiders or aren’t sure about what the best way to ward off spiders is in your home, it’s best to consult with an expert about pest control. They can give you more tailored advice to your individual needs. This could be useful since no method is 100% effective at warding off spiders.
For more information on how spiders function, read our related article called Spiders: How Smart Are They (And Are They Self-Aware?)
Well, that’s about it when it comes to spiders and drains! Hopefully, you’ve found some of these tips helpful in keeping your house a spider-free zone!
References
Bowlin, Melissa S., and Dorothy F. McLeer, and Anne M. Danielson-Francois. “Spiders in Motion: Demonstrating Adaptation, Structure-function relationships, and trade-offs in invertebrates.”Advances in Physiology Education, 38:1, 2014, pp. 71-79.
Montgomery, Thomas H. “Studies on the Habits of Spiders, Particularly Those of the Mating Period.”Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. 55, Academy of Natural Sciences, 1903, pp. 59–149, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4062875.
Pearce, J., Venier, L., Eccles, G.et al.Influence of habitat and microhabitat on epigeal spider (Araneae) assemblages in four stand types.Biodiversity and Conservation13,1305–1334 (2004).
FAQs
Should I wash the spider down the drain? ›
The short answer is no. The spider will not survive. When you wash the spider down the drain, it will be trapped underwater and eventually drown.
Do spiders die if you flush them down the plug hole? ›No, they drown. Spiders which you find in the bath have fallen in, not, as widely assumed, emerged from the plug-hole, as they cannot get past the U-bend (they drown).
Do spiders live if you flush them down the toilet? ›Flushing Spiders Down The Toilet
You may think flushing spiders will kill them, but it can actually take an hour or a few for them to be fully submerged in water. They will eventually drown, but they will be living in your pipes for a while before this happens.
Myth: Spiders found in bathtubs or sinks have come up through the drains from the sewers. Fact: This myth goes together with the "coming in from the cold" one, and shows how very reluctant people are to confront the idea that the spiders in their house live there all the time.
Does cleaning make spiders come out? ›The best way to get rid of spiders in the house is to dust, vacuum and de-clutter your home regularly. It's not the quickest method, but keeping your home cleaned regularly will mean those 8-legged friends don't get a chance to build webs and set up shop in your home.
Does cleaning get rid of spiders? ›Clean your home regularly. Remember to vacuum all corners, under all furniture, and even your ceilings (use your vacuum's extendable hose to remove cobwebs and spider webs). Clean houses make it harder for spiders to find hiding spots that allow them to stay in your home.
What kills spiders instantly? ›White Vinegar
In a spray bottle, mix white vinegar and water in equal parts. Then, get ready to spray whenever you see a spider—the acidic nature of the vinegar will kill the spider on contact.
Like all animal species, spiders need water to survive. That's why they're drawn to your bathroom, especially during more arid times of the year, such as fall and winter. In an otherwise dry house, sometimes bathrooms are the only place to find moisture.
How long can spiders survive under water? ›It's actually a gill that sucks oxygen from the water, allowing the spider to stay under for up to 24 hours.
What happens when you spray a spider with bleach? ›Bleach is considered a pesticide and fungicide because it kills bacterial cells, which makes it an option for spider control in your house.
Do spiders come up bathtub drains? ›
The truth – which you'll probably be relieved to hear – is that spiders don't come up the plughole of your bath. There is almost always a U-bend in the plumbing just below your plug holes. The reason for this isn't to keep spiders coming up them, but to stop items falling down and clogging the drain.
Do spiders like clean or dirty rooms? ›Doing your household chores keeps spiders away. It's simple – just like they love dark areas, they also like cluttered and dirty places. Thus, maintaining a clean home will discourage spiders or other insects from inhabiting your bed or house. You should thoroughly clean the entire house beginning with your bedroom.
How do brown recluse spiders get in the bathtub? ›Finding the way inside your bathroom is no challenge for spiders. They are usually small and can squeeze in through any tiny openings, such as cracks, small gaps, and other openings around doors, windows, air vents, and floorboards. They may also get in by following the plumbing or utility lines.
Can spiders walk out of a vacuum? ›When spiders get sucked into a vacuum cleaner, can they eventually crawl back out, or do they suffocate in all that dust? Almost every spider sucked into a home vacuum cleaner will die—either immediately, from the trauma of ricocheting through the machine's narrow tubes, or eventually, from thirst.
Why do spiders curl up in water? ›This is because spiders can pull their legs inwards, but their muscles will not allow them to extend their legs back out. They overcome this obstacle by pumping a liquid into their legs, forcing them outwards. However, when they die, there is no liquid being pumped into their legs, causing the legs to curl up.
What happens if you wash a spider? ›“Flushed spiders will drown if they end up submerged in the sewer,” Jerome Rovner, a member of the American Arachnological Society, told Real Clear Science. “However, the drowning process for a spider can take an hour or more, as they have an extremely low metabolic rate and thus a very low rate of oxygen consumption.”
What smell do spiders hate? ›It's easy to keep spiders away using natural products. These eight-legged creatures hate the smell of citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges. They also don't like peppermint oils, tea tree oils, eucalyptus, and vinegar. Using any of these around your home will keep spiders away.
What keeps spiders away naturally? ›Lavender, mint, eucalyptus, and citronella are all plants with strong smells that spiders don't like. Adding these plants to your garden can help deter spiders from building webs in your yard. If you don't want to grow these plants, use essential oils, such as peppermint oil and tea tree oil.
Does spraying vinegar keep spiders away? ›Vinegar Spray
Vinegar is used in many homemade cleaners, however not many people know, that vinegar is an excellent bugs and spiders repellent. Prepare a solution of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water, and spray around your home.
1) It takes nearly 1/2 of a full can of Lysol Disinfectant Spray to kill a spider that is hanging out on the door to your office. 2) Lysol has a spraying distance of about 2 feet, meaning that you'll have to get closer to said spider than you prefer due to your total arachnophobia.
What smell kills spiders? ›
Essential oils such as eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, and rose oil effectively kill spiders and other bugs. The aroma from the oils will keep future spiders from finding their way in too. A bonus is that these oils all smell great, so your house will smell quite delightful too.
Does killing a spider attract more spiders? ›The first thing is to ignore the impulse to get all Hulk-like when you see a spider and squish the little terror. Killing spiders will only attract other spiders; often, this makes way for nastier spiders. Some spiders are doing you a favor and are good to have in your home.
How do you keep spiders away permanently? ›Seal up your home to keep spiders from entering through cracks and crevices. Cover vents with fine mesh insect screens. Apply caulk around wires, cables, faucets and electrical components that run to the outside. Replace or fix torn window screens and caulk up gaps around windows.
What do spiders hate? ›Spiders really don't like strong scents such as citrus, peppermint, tea-tree, lavender, rose or cinnamon. Add 15 to 20 drops of your chosen essential oil or a couple of capfuls of Zoflora fragrance to a spray bottle filled with water, and spritz around the house.
Can spiders live in shower drains? ›It would be just as sensible to assume that a spider is in your tub because it needed to borrow your shower. In reality, neither insects, spiders or any other type of arthropod would ever be able to survive the horrid conditions in sewer pipes and septic tanks.
Can spiders come out of shower drain? ›In reality, spiders and insects do not enter our homes through drains, and the spiders or insects that we do find in the bathtub are only there because they are in your house all the time…and they are thirsty. Modern drains contain a liquid containing sediment trap that spiders are not capable of penetrating.
What do spiders eat in the bathroom? ›- Their diet includes basically any insect that flies or crawls, including ants, bees, mosquitoes, cockroaches, centipedes, aphids, flies and beetles. ...
- Yes, whether the fleas are in your garden or inside your house, spiders will happily feed on them.
Because, unfortunately (or rather, NOT) the hairs on their legs that enable them to climb walls cannot grip the smooth enamel of a bath.
Is spider poisonous in water? ›Don't worry.It is not dangerous unless you are bitten by one.As mentioned, it was a small one and you drank the one which was already in the water,so probably it was dead while you drank! Not to worry, as it will get eliminated through your bowels.As such, there is no need for a medication in this case.
Do spiders play dead? ›MALES will go to extreme lengths to get females, but playing dead might not seem like an obvious strategy. Some male nursery web spiders, however, regularly feign death, and those that do are more likely to mate.
What chemical gets rid of spiders? ›
Effective ingredients (listed in fine print on the insecticide container) include cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, and lambda cyhalothrin. Insecticides formulated as dusts are also quite effective, including Cimexa® (silica gel), Tempo® (cyfluthrin), and DeltaDust® (deltamethrin).
What chemical do exterminators use for spiders? ›Most pest control companies use pesticides called pyrethrins and pyrethroids, including Permethrin.
What happens when you spray a spider with white vinegar? ›Even though white vinegar does have a strong smell, it's not what makes your spider problem go away. White vinegar contains acetic acid that actually harms spiders. When you make a diluted solution, it safely and successfully harms and kills spiders without putting your kids or pets in danger of chemical exposure.
Where do spiders go to the bathroom? ›Their poop usually gathers in one spot below their web, like on the wall in an unused corner with a cobweb. Any dark or undisturbed place can make a good spider refuge, so their poop can show up in unexpected places.
What is the huge fear of spiders? ›Arachnophobia is an intense fear of spiders.
What eats spiders in houses? ›Some household pets can help control your spider population. Cats, hedgehogs, frogs, lizards, and birds are all good examples.
Do spiders like hot or cold rooms? ›Spiders are not attracted to heat and can live quite comfortably in a wide temperature range. Most spiders prefer temperatures hovering around 70 degrees.
What time of year do brown recluses come out? ›1. Brown recluse spiders are mostly only active from March through October, so trying to control them from October through March is generally not necessary or useful. 2. They are found outdoors in Kansas and other Midwestern states, as well as within structures.
What kills brown recluse? ›Fortunately, many broad-spectrum pesticides like cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, and lambda cyhalothrin are also effective against brown recluse spiders. These are available in spray, liquid, and dust forms.
How do you know if a brown recluse is in your house? ›Signs of a brown recluse spider infestation mainly include spotting one, or noticing webs in and around the home. If you have an infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect and treat the pest problem.
Do spiders ever chase you? ›
Experimental evidence shows reports of spiders “lunging” towards a fearful person is more perception than reality. Even if a spider DID want to chase you down, it probably couldn't. With an open circulatory system, spiders don't have a system of veins and capillaries for oxygen distribution through the body.
What can spiders not crawl up? ›Spiders cannot climb Ice, Packed Ice, or Blue Ice. Save this answer.
Can spiders track humans? ›Stimulus forces in the . 01 near-undetectable range are enough for spider stimulation, according to a new published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface. In fact, a spider's entire body is built to detect almost anything and anyone that might cross its path.
What happens to a spider when it dies? ›Statistics. When spiders die, their tiny legs curl up tight against their body, because spiders don't use muscles to extend their legs. Instead, they have hydraulic legs!
Where do spiders go in the daytime? ›The eight-legged creatures also prefer to sit motionless during the day on their web and save valuable energy for the night. Common places where spiders love to hide and rest during the day include underneath furniture and any small gaps and cracks they can find.
How do spiders react to water? ›Using calculations and high-speed photography, Suter discovered that spiders "row" across the water by exerting force on the dimples of water under their legs. The dimple creates drag on the water, allowing the leg to push the water backward while barely touching it. In reaction, the spider moves forward.
Can spiders swim up a drain? ›In reality, neither insects, spiders or any other type of arthropod would ever be able to survive the horrid conditions in sewer pipes and septic tanks. Spiders are also not good at swimming while completely submerged in fluids, and spiders lack the anatomy for swimming upstream.
How do you flush out spiders? ›- Spider Catcher.
- Peppermint oil.
- Vinegar.
- Get cleaning.
- Protect the exterior of your house.
- Plant a eucalyptus tree in the garden.
- Citrus.
- Turn off your lights.
Because spiders can hold their breath for long periods of time, they can survive the wash cycle. As mentioned earlier, a large majority of spiders can survive in water, thanks to their ballooning behavior.
Can spiders get out of the bath? ›The truth – which you'll probably be relieved to hear – is that spiders don't come up the plughole of your bath. There is almost always a U-bend in the plumbing just below your plug holes. The reason for this isn't to keep spiders coming up them, but to stop items falling down and clogging the drain.
Can spiders survive in vinegar? ›
White vinegar contains acetic acid that actually harms spiders. When you make a diluted solution, it safely and successfully harms and kills spiders without putting your kids or pets in danger of chemical exposure.
What does vinegar and water do for spiders? ›Dilute vinegar with water in a spray bottle in equal amounts and then spray in areas where spiders had previously been active. The acetic acid in the vinegar is harmful to spiders but the strong odor of the vinegar alone will be enough to keep spiders away.
Does vinegar do anything to spiders? ›White Vinegar
Vinegar spray can serve as an organic pest control, specifically for spiders. While it is harmless to humans, it contains acetic acid which gives it a sour taste and odor which spiders are highly sensitive to. To use, mix equal portions of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
If the bag is full, the density of dirt, dust, and hair is likely to suffocate the spider. It's much harder for a spider to find its way out of a bag, and after a little time, the spider will eventually die of thirst.
Do spiders crawl out of vacuum cleaners? ›When spiders get sucked into a vacuum cleaner, can they eventually crawl back out, or do they suffocate in all that dust? Almost every spider sucked into a home vacuum cleaner will die—either immediately, from the trauma of ricocheting through the machine's narrow tubes, or eventually, from thirst.
Does Dish Soap keep spiders away? ›Repel Spiders with Dish Soap
Another natural spider repellent you can make from household supplies is a mixture of water and liquid dish soap. Dish soap disturbs the egg cycle of spiders, and the insects strongly dislike citrus scents—lemon, lime, or orange-scented soap will do the trick.