How Many Spiders Do You Eat in Your Sleep?

Spiders are one of the most common fears people have. They have been featured in several horror movies and have led to the creation of many clever contraptions designed to catch them. It’s safe to say that spiders aren’t the most beloved species among humans. In fact, around 6% of the population suffers from arachnophobia, the fear of spiders.

While it’s unsettling to spot a spider scurrying across your living room floor, at least you’re awake and can deal with it. But when we go to sleep, the fear of the unknown takes over, and our minds may conjure up images of creepy crawlies lurking just out of sight, ready to pounce when our eyes are closed.

It’s a well-known myth that we swallow spiders in our sleep, with claims suggesting we ingest around eight per year. However, experts agree there’s no truth to this, and the chances of swallowing a spider while asleep are extremely low. Let’s look at the reasons why.

Although often cast as villains in society, spiders are actually harmless creatures that prefer to keep to themselves. House spiders typically seek quiet, warm and moist spaces with easy access to food. Your bedroom is unlikely to attract them due to human activity and a general lack of food sources. Moreover, spiders are far more likely to be scared of humans because of our much larger size, so they tend to run away from us rather than towards us.

Unless you’re an incredibly deep sleeper, the sensation of a spider crawling on your face would most likely wake you up long before it got anywhere near your mouth. Even in the unlikely event that a spider did wander into your mouth, the surprise would certainly be enough to startle you awake. However, it’s highly unlikely for a spider to get that far in the first place.

Most people naturally keep their mouths closed while sleeping unless their nasal passages are blocked, such as by a cold or sleep apnoea. This means your mouth is likely sealed during sleep, preventing any insects from sneaking in.

Read our article on mouth taping for a surefire way to ensure that you breathe through your nose throughout the night.

There are around 660 different spider species in the UK, but the good news is that most pose very little threat to humans. Only twelve species are known to bite, and even then, they do so rarely and only in self-defence. While spider bites can cause minor irritation, such as itching or swelling, these symptoms generally subside quickly. The most well-known venomous spider in the UK, the false widow, may cause more noticeable symptoms, but these typically last only a few days. Fortunately, bites from these spiders are rare and usually not severe.

If the thought of swallowing spiders has been keeping you up at night, rest assured—it’s just a myth. As the saying goes, spiders are more afraid of you than you are of them. Plus, most spiders in the UK are harmless, so you can sleep peacefully knowing that Incy Wincy poses no threat.