Fact-Checking Household Pest Myths: Do Spiders Like Hot or Cold Rooms?
By Chloe Bennett
Spiders are cold-blooded ectotherms. Their internal physiological processes adjust directly to the ambient air around them. Unlike mammals that burn substantial caloric reserves to maintain a steady 98.6°F (37°C), a common American house spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) or cellar spider (Pholcus phalangioides) simply slows down or speeds up depending on local temperatures.
In laboratory conditions, most temperate household arachnids survive across broad gradients. They exhibit baseline motility down to 40°F (4.4°C) and can survive brief exposures up to 110°F (43.3°C). Within the standard residential indoor room temperature zone of 65°F to 74°F (18°C, 23°C), spiders function at peak biological efficiency.
Lowering a thermostat to 66°F (19°C) does not distress a house spider. It merely reduces its metabolic burn rate slightly, allowing it to go longer without consuming a meal. Conversely, elevating indoor temperatures to 78°F (25.5°C) increases its hunting activity and silk production. Neither extreme will cause an established arachnid population to pack up and evacuate.
Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.
