Spiders in Wichita Homes This Halloween: What Is Normal and What Is Not

Matthew Johnston

4 days ago

3 min read

Updated: 12 hours ago

Plastic spiders on the porch. Fake webs on the bushes. And then a real spider on the bathroom wall.

It is Halloween week, and spiders feel extra spooky. Let's talk about what is normal in Wichita, Derby, and Andover, and what is not.

Spider on a web inside a bright living room

Why do I see more spiders in the fall?

Fall is when many spiders are full grown and on the move. They wander more, and some end up indoors looking for a quiet spot.

Cooler nights also push the bugs spiders eat toward your house. Where the food goes, the spiders follow. Spiders are one of several fall invaders in Wichita.

Will they stick around after Halloween?

Many will not. A K-State entomologist says common Kansas spiders are likely to go into hiding by the end of October.

You may see fewer in November. Some will still spend winter in garages, basements, and storage areas.

Which spiders should I worry about in Kansas?

Most spiders are harmless to people. Two get the most attention here: the brown recluse and the black widow.

K-State researchers found brown recluses would rather escape than bite. In their study, none of the 600-plus spiders they collected tried to bite. Reactions to a bite vary, so see a doctor if you think you were bitten. Read more in our post on brown recluse spiders in Wichita.

Not sure what you found? Send us a photo. Do not guess, and do not play with it.

Where do spiders hide in a home?

Garages, sheds, and storage rooms
Boxes, shoes, and stacked clutter
Basements and crawl spaces
Window wells and door frames
Woodpiles and outdoor furniture

How can I keep spiders down at home?

Wear gloves when moving boxes, firewood, or yard items.
Shake out shoes and gloves stored in the garage.
Cut down clutter and swap cardboard for sealed plastic bins.
Seal gaps around doors, windows, and pipes.
Turn off porch lights you do not need. Light draws the insects spiders hunt.

Pest technician using a long pole to clear cobwebs from a front doorway

Sealing gaps helps with mice too. See why mice move into Wichita homes every fall.

Front entry door and trim where small gaps can let pests in

One honest note. Pest control manages nature. It does not wipe it out. A few spiders around your property is normal. We aim to keep them outside and away from your living space.