Spider Myth Resources
Explore even more! Additional spider resources and more myths (poor spiders can't catch a break!).
Photo: Cathy Morris/Burke Museum
Photo: Cathy Morris/Burke Museum
Myth: How could insects be biting me? I see only spiders
Illustration: Henry C. McCook
Illustration: Henry C. McCook
Myth: How could insects be biting me? I see only spiders in the house!
Fact: Ah, but spiders are exclusively predators. Essentially all the food a spider consumes in its lifetime is other small living creatures, mainly insects. House spiders may be more conspicuous than household insects, but they could not live there without insects to eat. And if they were not there, there'd be a lot more insects!
Information on this web site is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and should not be used to diagnose or treat a medical or health condition. You should consult a physician as to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or treatment. Genuine spider bites can sometimes require medical attention, but beyond that, several medical conditions commonly mistaken for spider bite can be even more serious. If you have what appears to be a serious spider bite, please contact your health care provider or local emergency services. If you have the actual spider that bit someone, always save it for identification by a professional arachnologist.
