The Easy Bedding Mistake That May Be Attracting Spiders To Your Room
While spiders can invade any home, some things attract them more than others. Though you may think that spiders are only found in basements and attics, the truth is these arachnids can easily make their way into your bedroom. Believe it or not, there is one big bedding mistake you could be making that may attract spiders to your bedroom and that is not changing your sheets enough.
How often you should wash your bedsheets depends on a lot of factors. In general, you can get away with changing your sheets every two weeks under normal circumstances. This is especially true if you sleep alone, don't sweat much in your sleep, don't have pets in your bed, and live in a temperate climate. However, once a week may be needed if you sweat a lot in your sleep, sleep naked, have pets that sleep in your bed, live in a hot or humid climate, or are sick or recovering from an illness. When you keep your sheets clean, it has a direct effect on whether spiders will find your bed and your room attractive.
Why spiders like dirty sheets
Having dirty sheets can easily attract spiders to your bed due to a couple of key factors with the biggest factor being an increased food source. We shed millions of dead skin cells every day, especially while sleeping. These cells, along with our sweat, accumulate on dirty sheets, creating a feast for the insects that spiders prey on like bed bugs (which spiders eat) as well as crumbs from snacks consumed in bed.
Also, dirty sheets absorb body oils and odors that we emit while sleeping which can attract dirt and bacteria, that can in turn encourage insects which will invite spiders. Dirty sheets also tend to create a warmer and more humid environment due to trapped sweat and body heat. This attracts moisture-loving insects like dust mites and gnats, further increasing the appeal of your bed for hungry spiders looking for an easy meal. Not making your bed can also be a factor. Clumped-up, unwashed sheets provide more hidden areas for other insects to hide which creates another opportunity that attracts spiders looking for prey.
How to keep spiders out of your bedroom
One way to get rid of spiders in your home and keep them from coming back is by keeping your sheets clean. Through regular washing and maintaining good bedroom hygiene, you can significantly reduce the attractiveness of your bed for spiders. Wash your sheets regularly with hot water and dry them completely. Additionally, there are other ways to make your room less enticing for spiders.
A messy room can create conditions that make them more likely to stick around. Clutter around your room easily offers an abundance of nooks and crannies for spiders to hide from predators, build webs, and lay eggs. Boxes, clothes piles, furniture underneath shelves, and dusty corners all become potential spider-hiding spots. Messy rooms often attract more of the insects that spiders love to eat, like flies, mosquitos, and silverfish. Crumbs on the floor, overflowing trash cans, and stagnant water sources like leaky faucets or pet bowls can encourage insects to make your room their home.
To make your room less spider-friendly, declutter regularly, get rid of unused items, and organize your belongings to eliminate potential hiding spots. Vacuum and dust frequently to remove food sources like insects and their eggs. However, it's important to note that spiders are resilient creatures and can adapt to various environments. A perfectly clean room doesn't guarantee you'll be spider-free, and occasionally encountering one is normal.