Spiders are common creatures found in various environments, from gardens to forests and even homes. Their behavior changes noticeably when rain begins. Spiders adapt their routines and seek shelter to navigate the challenges presented by wet conditions.
How Rain Affects Spiders
Rain presents several difficulties for spiders, influencing their physical well-being and daily activities. Raindrops can physically dislodge spiders from their perches or make movement across surfaces challenging. Despite their small size, heavy rainfall can potentially wash them away or lead to drowning if their respiratory openings become blocked. Spiders possess fine hairs on their bodies that can trap a layer of oxygen, allowing them to survive for some time if submerged.
Spider webs, crucial for hunting and shelter, are particularly vulnerable to precipitation. Heavy rain can damage or destroy these intricate structures. Webs can become saturated with water droplets, impacting their effectiveness. Spiders often abandon their damaged webs during a downpour and may even consume and recycle the silk proteins from the destroyed web to conserve energy for rebuilding later.
Precipitation also impacts a spider’s ability to hunt effectively. Many insects, which constitute a spider’s primary prey, become less active during rainy weather, reducing the available food supply. Wet surfaces can hinder the sensory capabilities of some spiders, making it difficult for them to detect prey. Spiders may alter their foraging strategies or web construction in response to changing weather patterns.
Outdoor Shelters for Spiders
When rain begins, spiders instinctively seek out dry, sheltered areas to protect themselves. They often utilize natural covers available in their outdoor habitats. Common hiding spots include the undersides of leaves, beneath rocks, inside fallen logs, or within dense foliage, which provide a natural “umbrella” effect. The soil under these objects can remain relatively dry even during prolonged rainfall, offering a suitable refuge.
Spiders also frequently take shelter in or around man-made structures. They can be found in the corners of buildings, under eaves, or behind window shutters and rain gutters. These locations offer elevated and protected spaces that are less exposed to direct rainfall. Some spiders strategically build their webs in naturally sheltered areas to provide some inherent protection from precipitation.
Ground-dwelling spiders will seek higher ground to escape rising water levels. This can lead them to climb onto the foundations or siding of homes. Spiders are highly adaptable and will quickly rebuild their webs or relocate entirely if their immediate environment remains too wet.
Spiders Seeking Indoor Shelter
While spiders primarily reside outdoors, some may venture inside during rainy periods. This behavior is opportunistic, driven by the need to escape adverse weather and find stable, dry environments. Heavy rainfall can flood their outdoor habitats, forcing them to seek alternative shelter.
A factor contributing to spiders entering homes during rain is the availability of prey. Many insects, displaced by the wet weather, seek refuge indoors, providing a food source for spiders. Web-building spiders may move inside if their outdoor webs are damaged or destroyed by the rain. Similarly, ground-hunting spiders can be driven indoors as their usual hunting grounds become waterlogged.
Spiders commonly enter homes through small openings. These include cracks in foundations, gaps around windows and doors, and openings where pipes or vents penetrate walls. Spiders can also be carried indoors on items like firewood, plants, or outdoor equipment. Indoor spider activity often increases following rainstorms due to these environmental pressures.