Picture this: You’re settling in for the night, maybe reaching for a book or flipping on a light, when you spot it—a spider, perfectly still… or worse, on the move. In that split second, you already know which type of person you are. Today’s question is a simple one: When you find a spider in your home or RV, do you kill it or release it outside?
Some of you might proudly take the “catch and release” route. Maybe you’ve read about how spiders help control other pests, or you just don’t like the idea of squishing something that was minding its own business. A cup, a piece of paper, a gentle escort out the door—that’s your method. And in an RV, releasing a spider outside might feel like keeping the peace in a very small shared space.
Then there are those of you who react on instinct. The spider appears, and—nope. Not today! Not in your home, not in your RV, not anywhere within shoe-smacking distance. You don’t want to risk a nighttime surprise, a disappearing spider, or mysterious bites later on. Quick action feels like the safest option.
Of course, there’s also the “it depends” crowd. Size matters. Location matters. Surprise level definitely matters. A tiny one in the bathroom might get a free pass, while a big one above the bed earns immediate eviction.
So how about you? Do you deal with spiders kindly or decisively?
Go ahead and cast your vote, then feel free to share your spider strategy. I’ll go first: I (Emily) save every spider with by far the most-used gadget in my house: My Critter Catcher. I use it weekly (at least) to capture and release spiders back outside, and have gifted it to many friends and relatives. Oh, and make sure you read my story about the little spider who loved me.
RVDT2778
I heard several years ago that you spend over 80% of your life within 6 ft of a spider without even knowing it. Spiders kill and eat other bugs so I consider them an asset.
I agree mostly. If it is black widow or a brown recluse, I will kill it. Where I live, we have wolf spiders, which are fairly large, however, their favorite food is cockroaches. So if it is a beneficial spider, I will try to capture it and release it outdoors.
Spiders are cool – jumping spiders, web-builders, roaming spiders, trapdoor spiders. They can freefall down several stories and land unharmed. Male tarantulas sometimes travel miles to ‘get a date’ with the female. In the U.S., there are very few poisonous spider species and most don’t have jaws wide enough to bite humans anyway. I let most live in the corners and behind the baseboards of my home, capture and release if they get too numerous, and kill only the poisonous ones in order to protect our cat.
Just me? I’d catch and release if possible. Spiders do a great job of reducing other insect pests. My spouse? Where’s the shotgun?! It’s the size of a dinner plate! Get it, get it, get it!
Actually I ask my wife to kill it unless I can do it from a distance.
Most of the time, I just ignore them. The only ones that I kill in the house are black widow spiders. I’ve never seen my cats pursue them, but I don’t want to chance it.
Probably kill it. I still laugh at the guy who said if he found a spider or snake in his RV, he’d burn it to the ground.
Killing only the poisonous ones, leaving all others or placing them outside of the house. My daughter in her 40s still is freaks out with spiders and my youngest son. The other insects they get rid off along with the toads/frogs are greater than any snake. My oldest son had several tarantulas he had picked up in the desert and housed as pets. Amazing creatures that roam the earth.
Inside DEAD, outside no problems
Yeah, that’s my philosophy, too.
We have brown recluse spiders in our area. So we have pest control spray monthly and have glue traps in the house. If I see a recluse, it will see the sole of my 👞. So far, so good. Outside, I leave spiders alone.
I am not an Entomologist bug expert, so I kill invading insects!
I let them be (or take them outside when they’re outdoor spiders that snuck in). I have no problem with the cute lil guys. They’re just doing their thing!! If people take the time to familiarize themselves with them, they’d be less afraid. They’re surprisingly tame and/or friendly.
If it’s not a dangerous spider and it’s not in my way I just let it be.
Daddy long legs get a pass, any others I play the girl card & let my husband deal with them.
I really do not understand the inclination that many people have to killing things. Spiders are incredibly beneficial to us in many ways. For one thing, they eat other bugs that people consider as pests. Here’s a short article on the topic:
https://www.oneearth.org/eight-surprising-reasons-why-spiders-make-the-best-roommates/
If it is in my house, it is dead. If it is outside, I leave it alone.