Where Do Spiders Go in the Winter?
WouterIn the winter, when the weather gets cold, many pests will head indoors for warmth. Spiders are no exception. They’ve developed ways to survive winter. Some live in their nests and hibernate, while others go out to hunt for food.
Many common house spiders are known as warmth-hunting spiders. These spiders seek shelter from the cold, so they hide in places like live Christmas trees or inside homes.
When the temperature starts to drop, the female spiders of these species find a safe place to lay eggs. The eggs hatch as winter approaches. During the warmer months, the adult spiders search for a new spot to overwinter.
While the majority of spiders go into hibernation during the winter, some stay active. These spiders produce an antifreeze-like compound that helps them survive.
To survive the cold, spiders enter into a diapause, which is similar to hibernation. During the diapause, they slow down their metabolism and conserve energy. During the warmer months, the spiders may come out to hunt for food.
During the winter, some spiders build web sacs, which are like egg nests. Web sacs contain protein and glycol to ward off the cold. Once temperatures cool, the spiders return to seal the web sacs. This creates a warm, insulated environment.
Spiders also produce polyhydroxy alcohol, which is an antifreeze. The alcohol lowers the freezing point of water and prevents ice crystals from forming in the spiders.
A few species of spiders, such as crab spiders, can even survive below freezing. Other spiders, such as the eastern parson spider, crawl under tree bark for warmth.
