“Incy Wincy Spider climbed up the water spout…”
Come on, we’ve all sung it haven’t we (and done the actions…)
But is there any truth behind it?
If you’ve ever walked into the bathroom to find a large spider sitting in the bath or sink, you’ve probably wondered…
“Did that come up through the drain?”
The good news?
Almost certainly not.
The great plughole myth
This is probably the biggest spider myth in Britain.
In reality, your bath, shower and sink drains all contain a water trap (often called a U-bend or P-trap).
That little bend in the pipe always holds water.
Its job is to stop unpleasant sewer gases entering your home.
As a bonus, it also makes life extremely difficult for spiders trying to travel up your drains.
In fact, the British Arachnological Society says spiders found in baths do not come up through the drain hole. They’re usually wandering around at night, slip into the bath or sink, and can’t climb back out because the smooth sides are too slippery.
Poor little things.
So why are they always in the bathroom?
Bathrooms are actually quite attractive to wandering spiders.
Not because they live in your pipes.
Because they often offer:
- A drink of water.
- Plenty of quiet hiding places.
- The occasional tasty insect.
They may also accidentally fall into baths and sinks while exploring overnight.
Bathrooms can be humid, but UK house spiders don’t generally need damp drains to survive. Most spend their time hunting around skirting boards, behind furniture, lofts, garages and sheds rather than living inside your pipework.
Do spiders live in drains?
Not really.
Most common UK spiders don’t build homes inside household drainage systems.
Think about it…
A drain is dark.
Water regularly rushes through it.
Cleaning products pass through.
Temperatures change quickly.
It isn’t a particularly comfortable place to set up home.
Occasionally, a spider may explore near a drain opening or become trapped in one, but your drainage pipes are not full of resident spiders waiting to emerge.
Clean pipes or dirty pipes?
Neither.
Spiders aren’t interested in your drains.
They’re interested in food.
If a damp area attracts flies, drain flies or other small insects, a spider may decide that’s a good hunting spot.
It’s the insects they’re after, not your pipework.
What about banana spiders?
We’ve all heard the stories…
Someone buys a bunch of bananas and discovers a huge tropical spider inside.
Believe it or not, this can happen, but it’s exceptionally rare.
On very rare occasions, tropical spiders have arrived in imported fruit shipments. However, modern harvesting, refrigeration, transport and quality checks mean it’s an unusual event rather than something shoppers should worry about.
So no…
The giant spider in your bathroom almost certainly didn’t arrive from Costa Rica hidden in your weekly shop.
Are UK spiders getting bigger because of climate change?
This one is a bit more complicated.
People often say, “The spiders seem enormous these days!”
There are a few reasons why.
During warm summers, spiders often have plenty of insects to eat, which means more individuals reach their full adult size.
In autumn, mature male house spiders also leave their hiding places in search of females, making them much more noticeable as they dash across floors and appear in bathrooms.
Scientists have linked some years with warm weather to larger, more noticeable spiders, but there is no evidence that our common house spiders have suddenly evolved into giant tropical species because of climate change.
How to rescue a bathroom spider
If you’d rather not share your bathroom with an eight-legged visitor, there’s no need to reach for the fly spray.
Try one of these:
- Place a glass over the spider.
- Slide a piece of stiff card underneath.
- Carry it outside and release it somewhere sheltered, such as a hedge, shrub, garage or shed.
Or, if it’s trapped in the bath, simply leave a dry towel hanging over the side overnight.
The British Arachnological Society recommends this simple trick because it gives the spider something to climb, allowing it to escape on its own.
Happy Drains’ final thoughts
Incy Wincy Spider probably didn’t climb up your drain.
It wandered into the bathroom.
Slipped into the bath.
And is now wondering how on earth it’s going to get out.
So next time you spot one, remember…
Your drains aren’t producing spiders.
They’re just providing the occasional stage for an unfortunate acrobat with eight legs!
Need help with the things that really do live in drains?
If drain flies, smelly drains, or recurring blockages are becoming a problem, Happy Drains can help identify the cause before it becomes a bigger issue.
So give us a call today!
07788 254933 / 0800 849 8099
Best,
David & Will
