When the temperatures fall below freezing, house spiders need to find an alternative source of food. They will eat dead insects and other bugs. The winter season is a good time to check for spiders, so you can prevent them from invading your home. Spiders are nocturnal, but they can survive the colder months.
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Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are everywhere in the summer and fall, but they disappear once the winter comes. Mosquitoes prefer warm weather and hibernate in the winter months. The presence of house spiders in the home is beneficial for homeowners as they feed on mosquitoes and their larvae.
Cockroaches
House spiders are a great way to kill cockroaches in winter. Cockroaches are known to be sensitive to the cold and cannot survive in these conditions. They prefer to seek shelter indoors, such as in a basement or small crawlspace, and will often stay out of sight during the cold season. These insects are also attracted to warm, dark areas, which is why they are good candidates for spider predation.
Ants
During the winter, many pests, including ants, overwinter inside the home. They can enter a home through tiny holes or cracks, or from outside items. As they colonize, they look for food and warmth. During the winter, they tend to stay near water heaters and clothes dryers.
Ladybugs
Ladybugs are small creatures related to spiders. They usually feed on plant-based matter. They have no pupa stage and molt until they reach adulthood. Nymphs are the larvae of many creatures, such as ladybugs and dragonflies. Ladybugs can also prey on caterpillars. These insects are often nocturnal and will feed in a variety of places.
Worms
While most species of spiders feed on insects, some are capable of surviving the winter months by hibernating in insulating debris. For example, grasshoppers prefer leafy greens over insects, so they can be a good alternative for house spiders to feed on. In addition, some species of spiders go through a process known as cold-hardening in order to survive the cold. This process allows them to produce a protein-rich shell that provides ample nutrition to the spider.
Small-sized lizards
Small-sized lizards are what many house spiders feed on during the winter months. These lizards have long, pointed legs and can be as large as five millimeters in length. They have a striped body that is reddish brown. Male and female tarantulas are similar but differ slightly in appearance. Females have a larger carapace and are a little darker than males.
Mice
The winter months bring the return of mice. During these cold months, mice migrate from outside to inside your home to find food, water, and shelter. Although mice aren’t harmful to humans, they can damage your home and possessions.
Flying insects
Many house spiders feed on flying insects during the winter. Ladybugs are one of these insects, and although they aren’t as common as other insects, they’re great for spiders because they’re high in protein and contain a lot of nutrients. Spiders also eat other smaller spiders in their search for nutrition. Moths are also great food for spiders. Even though they’re small, they’re high in protein and provide the spider with nutrients and moisture.
