3 Types Of Spider You Might Find In Your Bathroom

The bathroom is a vulnerable place, whether you’re sitting comfortably on the toilet with a book in hand, or relaxing in the bath. In such exposed scenarios, coming across something that sends a chill down your spine is far from a welcome experience. Unfortunately for many of us, a fear of spiders makes moments such as these all too familiar. But what spiders do we most commonly see in our otherwise peaceful restrooms, and why do they seem to like this room so much?

Why spiders like your bathroom

You’re not alone if you’ve ever had to share your morning shower with a threateningly large spider before. In fact, spiders are most often witnessed in the bathroom, which has led many people to believe that they make their way in via the plugholes. However, this isn’t the case at all, as the u-bend (or trap) in any drainage pipe prevents the spider from making its way up and in.

Instead, spiders will find their way into your home from an open window, through the floors or roof tiles or through a convenient crack (many are actually born in your house). They then make their way into the bathroom in the search of some water to drink, as our homes are quite dry areas for them to live in. The reason why they end up in the bath? Well, they fell in! So, who are the common culprits you're likely to meet?

1. The Giant House Spider

This spider species is the one you’re most likely to end up sharing a shower with, and especially so in the autumn months when the males leave their webs in a bid to find females to mate with. They can run extremely fast which can be quite alarming when you’re trying to inch away from them as you rub in your shampoo. However, these sprints are short-lived as they need to recover often.

Relatively large in size, these spiders can be around 120mm and can bite if they feel threatened. However, they’re not aggressive by nature and aren’t poisonous.

2. Daddy Long Legs

There are rumours that Daddy Long Legs would be extremely dangerous to humans if their fangs were strong enough to break human skin and release their poisonous venom. However, this is an urban myth as they have indeed been found to bite, and these bites have left only a gentle burning sensation (if anything at all). You’re most likely to come across these spiders in cupboards so watch out when you’re reaching for that spare roll of toilet paper...

With a maximum size of 45mm, these spiders are pretty much harmless and their small bodies and thin legs mean they’re often thought of as less scary than other spider species.  

3. The Cardinal Spider

The Cardinal spider is the largest in the UK, living mostly in buildings and walls. It gained its name from apparently having scared Cardinal Wolsey in Hampton Court in the 16th century. It is unlikely that spiders such as these will have found their way inside whilst in full maturity, and much more likely that they’ve been living in your home the year long, emerging to mate in the autumn...

These spiders can grow up to a terrifying 14cm, which explains why Cardinal Wolsey was so terrified. However, bites from this species are rare and painless when they do occur.