Myth: Do You Eat Spiders in Your Sleep?

Do Spiders Crawl Into Your Mouth When You Sleep?

There is no proof that spiders crawl into people’s mouths while they are sleeping. Moreover, scientists point to many reasons why this is not likely to happen. 

• Humans are bigger: Spiders probably see a sleeping human as a predator that should be avoided. Because they can sense vibrations, spiders are also likely to be scared off by the movements and noises people make while sleeping.
• Spiders are not hostile: Spiders are typically not out to attack people, and they rarely bite humans. When they encounter a human, spiders are more likely to run away. Most spiders will only bite in self-defense Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source , such as when someone rolls over on them or they are otherwise trapped.
• Spiders want to stay away: Not many spiders live in people’s houses to begin with, as they tend to make their homes in their natural outdoor habitat. When they do live inside, they prefer quiet, dark, secluded spots where they will not be disturbed.
• It is hard to swallow a spider: It is not likely that a spider could get into someone’s mouth, much less be swallowed when a person is asleep. While humans do swallow sporadically while they sleep, there are long periods of time when no swallowing takes place. 
• People typically sleep with their mouths closed: It is usually easier to breathe through the nose during sleep, so sleepers tend to sleep with their mouths closed. This would make it hard for a spider to crawl inside.

Where Did This Idea Come From?

Although the idea of eating spiders during sleep shows up all over the internet, it is not clear exactly how this myth got started. But spiders are the subjects of many myths and urban legends. 

Interestingly, when researchers who study the spread of misinformation analyzed online news stories about human-spider contact, they found mistakes in almost half of all the content published between 2010 and 2020. Furthermore, they found that 43% of stories about spiders were written to shock the reader Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , perhaps because people may be more likely to share sensationalist stories on social media.

Fear of Spiders Is Common

The myth that people eat spiders while they sleep may be perpetuated because so many people fear spiders and find them repulsive. This may stem from a time when human survival depended on avoiding anything that appeared threatening Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . 

Experts suggest that, of all animals, spiders may elicit the most fear Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source from humans. Arachnophobia, or fear of spiders, is thought to affect from 2.7% to more than 11% of people.

Most Spiders Are Harmless to Humans

Despite their reputation, less than 1% of all spiders are potentially harmful to humans. On the contrary, spiders are good to have around because they eat other insects like flies, beetles, and ants.

Being bitten by a spider is uncommon. Many people mistakenly believe Trusted Source Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers. View Source they have a spider bite when it is actually another type of insect bite, infection, or skin irritation.

How to Keep Spiders Out of Your House

If you are worried about spiders in your bedroom or house, you can take steps to keep them out. Tips for reducing spiders in the house include:

• Make sure window and door screens are free of holes and tears
• Check around windows and doors for gaps to the outside
• Inspect the house’s foundation and walls for cracks and holes
• Remove any spider webs found on the outside of the house
• Keep the home dry, since spiders prefer damp areas
• Vacuum frequently, especially in areas where spiders can hide
• Avoid bringing spiders inside on firewood or plants
• Do not let bedding fall too close to the floor
• Try putting spider traps in dark, out-of-the-way spots where spiders may hide