Do Spiders Poop? (Everything to Know About Spider Poop)

Do Spiders Poop? The Surprising Truth About Arachnid Excretion

Yes, spiders – just like any living thing that eats – poop. Spider poop is simply the waste remnant from the digested meal and is expelled from the anus as part of the arachnid’s digestive process.

In addition to pooping, spiders also release urine, albeit the two are combined into one source.

Spider poop normally consists of insects and other waste products that are their primary food source.

And no, the web is not spider poop. Whilst the poop is expelled through the anus, the web is excreted through an organ called the spinnerets, which is not even a part of the digestive system.

What Does Spider Poop Look Like?

Spider droppings generally contain a thick liquid that occasionally drips in shades of color white, brown, black, or grey.

When dry, the droppings can cause stains on your floors, walls, and pretty much all over your house.

Commonly, spider feces features a dark appearance and is usually sticky. The droppings are not solid as one would mistakenly imagine them to be, especially when considering the kind of food they consume.

Therefore, it may be hard to imagine spiders pooping with their low metabolic rate and they don’t eat regularly.

Spider droppings are commonly found on surfaces below their web. The droppings can be found beneath furniture, on the interior wall, molding by flooring, and under the tables among other spots that are off the floor.

Spider Poop is it Toxic

Spider poop consists generally of everything they eat in their meal, which is largely insects and bugs they prey on as well as food crumbs they find around.

With that in mind, spider feces is not toxic, although you might think it would be with some spiders being poisonous.

But it is a general fact that droppings of any kind are not hygienic and some insect and animal poop may carry viruses and bacteria. Is spider poop dangerous to humans?

Having said that, spider poop is considered negligibly toxic. There are normally no symptoms or reactions that follow after accidental ingestion of spider poop.

In rare cases, ingestion of animal or human poop can lead to vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, or fever.

But in the case of arachnid droppings, you will have to ingest large quantities for it to be harmful – which is highly unlikely.

Is Spider Poop a Sign of a Spider Infestation?

Spider droppings or poop can be detected through pigments on different items in the home, including floors, furniture, and walls.

Spider feces is not really a good way to know if you have an infestation of spiders. The best way to know is if you have spiderwebs everywhere.

Remember spiders will regularly eat if there are abundant food sources around. Spiders feed largely on insects and bugs, so if you have spider webs throughout the home you may have a bigger pest issue.

If you see a bunch of spider webs and spider poop around your house, you will need to address the situation.

This is where you need to DIY to get rid of the bugs or call a professional exterminator.

How Often do Spiders Poop?

Many people believe that spiders do not poop. This myth was perpetuated by the fact that it is highly unlikely to see a spider poop and their poop is hard to see.

Many spider species can survive for a long time without food. For example, big tarantulas could go for weeks without eating. If a spider is not eating it is not pooping.

Another cool fact is that spiders tend to have an extremely low metabolic rate that renders the whole process of ingestion, digestion, and pooping very slow. Do spiders urinate is another frequent question and the answer may surprise you. A spider does not pee like a human they produce uric acid, which is near solid when they get rid of it into the environment.

The bottom line is that the arachnids will poop frequently when there is plenty of food, otherwise the pattern will be irregular. This means the main factor that affects the frequency of spider poop is the availability of plenty of food.

Just like other species, spider pooping is directly influenced by how often they feed.

How to Clean up Spider Poop?

Stains from spider poops can stain lighter-colored fabrics or surfaces in the home. Here are some tested and proven methods to clean up spider poop.

1. Stain Removers

Stain removers are designed to remove spider poop and stains easily. They are made with ingredients that dissolve and remove the spider droppings but contain no bleach, thus safe for use at home around pets and kids.

To use a stain remover, just spray directly on the poop and let it soak into the droppings for 30 to 45 seconds before using a paper towel or washcloth to gently wipe up the poop. Rinse the spot with fresh water.

You want to wipe not scrub it.

2. Water and Bleach to Remove

Alternatively, you can use water and bleach solvent to clean up spider poops and their stains.

Mix an equal proportion of bleach and water and use it to scrub the droppings around your house.

Make sure the bleach solution will not fade or discolor the area.

3. Krud Kutter to Remove

Last but not least, use Krud Kutter to remove spider poop and stains on surfaces in your home.

Simply spray liberally onto the area where you see the spider poop. Wait for about a minute or two depending on how ingrained the stains are.

Take a paper towel and gently wipe it clean. Repeat till it is clean.

Conclusion

Spiders, just like any species that eat, poop. The spider droppings are not the same as spider webs and are usually found on surfaces underneath the webs. This may be on the walls, under the table, or on the floor.

Spider poop resembles paint splash with dark shades of stains, squishy, and highly viscous. Spider droppings are not toxic, but abundant poop around your home may be a sign of infestation. Especially considering spiders don’t poop regularly unless the conditions are optimum.