RELATED: If You See This Spider in Your Home, Don’t Step on It, Experts Warn. You may be tempted to leave your wet towel in the bathroom after you take a shower, but this is not a habit you should get used to. Wet towels are likely to attract spiders because of their moisture, as “moisture is essential for any spider and they cannot live without it,” says Macy Ruiz, a board-certified entomologist working with Ehrlich Pest Control. Nicholas Martin, an entomologist and founder of Pest Control Hacks, says certain types of spiders are more likely to be attracted to moist locations, like cellar spiders. RELATED: 7 Cleaning Habits That Attract Spiders. Other experts suggest that it is not just the moisture itself that is attracting spiders, but also the potential food sources that could be present. According to Ruiz and Martin, wet towels also attract bugs such as gnats, flies, mites, centipedes, ants, crickets, and cockroaches—all of which are common sources of food for spiders. “Spiders are attracted to moisture because one, they need it to survive, and two, they know their prey also needs it to survive. Spiders will build webs around areas of moisture in hopes their prey will come looking for water and fall into their trap,” Ron Hodgkins, co-owner and manager of Bel-O Pest Solutions, explains. Andrew Gabries, a pest expert and owner of Go Green Lawn and Pest Control, says that spiders are even more likely to go after wet towels left on the ground. “This hunting ground is even more attractive if the towel is left on the ground where it can be easily accessed,” he explains. Even if they’re not damp, pick your towels up. Thomas Marbut, pest expert and general manager at Mosquito Squad, says warmth is “very attractive to spiders,” so they might be looking for cozy areas of shelter in spaces they’re already used to right now. “During cold months, spiders seek shelter, so it is best to keep towels hung up to avoid having spiders seek shelter in a pile of towels,” Marbut explains, adding that “spiders are also drawn to dirty areas like windows that haven’t gotten dusted for a while. That includes under your bathroom furniture or an untidy stack of clothing on the floor.” RELATED: For more advice on avoiding pests, sign up for our daily newsletter. Both spiders and other pests can gain access to your bathroom through your drains, according to Ruiz. But your windows could also be a clear access point, so it’s important to secure them. “Make sure the windows close properly and the screens are good without any holes that can give access to the pests,” she advises. “If you constantly clean your bathroom and you still get spiders, that means that your bathroom has a prominent point of entry. Find it [and] fix it—that will stop the spiders.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Having plants in your bathroom can also draw in spiders, Gabries warns. “Plenty of insects are herbivores, so spiders hang around plants knowing these insects will eventually turn up and get trapped by their webs,” he explains. RELATED: If You’re Not Cleaning These 2 Spots, You’re Attracting Spiders to Your Home.
