Can spiders survive in the snow? I feel terrible everytime I throw them out of the house. I live in Montreal.?

Answer 1

Hey Im from Montreal too!
Actually yeah, they can die, they arent really equipped for surviving the cold weather up here. During the winter, they commonly stumble into homes in an attempt to find a nice warm place for shelter. The common families of spiders found in homes are the Clubionidae, and the Gnaphosidae, both of these families of spiders are completley harmless. They have very mild venom and most arent even large enough to bite a person, so there is no danger. Normally, well naturally they seek out crevaces in which to hibernate in (go into what is called diapause) In a home however, there is usually always something to eat and plenty of water in sinks and bathtubs which they will take full advantage of, that is why they are usually quite common in bathrooms and kitchens.

Like I said there is no danger with having these little critters around, if it really troubles you to throw them out in the cold, then maybe just leave them where they are, the Clubionids will usually just form a little hammock in the ceiling/wall corners of the bathroom and stay there for the majority of the time anyways, besides, they are eating smaller insects which may occur in the house that you might be unaware of, and the reason you may be unaware of their presence may be due to the spiders being very effective.
I know it is unsettling to see spiders in the house, so its your call, if you want them out, then dont worry about them, if it is above zero, then they will be alright, but colder than that and they will most likely die.

hope this helps!
and Im glad to see someone who actually takes the time to toss them outside most people just roll up a newspaper, and the tiny little things never have a chance! good show!

Clubionid (sac spider):
http://bugguide.net/node/view/41792

Gnaphosid:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/2338

Answer 2

I'm so sorry about your best friend. I've lost a close friend to a drunk driver, so I know personally how hard this can be. And no, I don't think God loves you any less. An accident does not shake my faith, because my faith is not contingent upon what God does or does not do for me. I find that God gives me the strength to go on. It was hard when I lost my friend. She was a mom of 3 who got called into work on her day off. She dropped off her 7 month old son at the daycare and at 9:30 in the morning, a driver on a suspended license for DWI plowed into her minivan, hitting her on the driver's door. My friend breathed her last as a co-worker came running up to her car. I don't blame God for this accident. I blame the alcoholism that drove that woman to drink that morning and drive a borrowed car. The driver came home from the hospital, my friend never survived long enough for the paramedics to help her. Does an accident like this strengthen my faith? I did not know if my friend was a Christian or not, and that worried me because my friend was one of the most loving people in the world. You would have liked her if you could have met her - everyone did. But, as I prayed about my fears, a short time later, a song played on the radio. The song had words in it to answer my question, and that I will see my friend again some day. Coincidence about that song? I don't think so. I think it was God's way of telling me that my friend will be waiting for me.

Answer 3

It depends on the kind of spider. The spiders
that come into your house in Montreal can probably
survive in the snow if they aren't injured by your
handling them when you catch them and put them
out. At least some spiders can remain active at
lower temperatures than most insects. I have seen
them active outdoors when the temperature was at
the freezing point. There are some spiders in
Canada that remain active all winter under the snow.

Answer 4

There are spiders that live in the snow. Most will overwinter in the eggstage though.

Answer 5

no they probably will not survive without getting back into your house. that is why the come into your house to keep from freezing. you have nothing to worry about though as each female lays literally hundreds of eggs.

Answer 6

if you bury it in the snow, then it is probably going to die, if it has a chance to crawl away, then it will and make its way back into your house. (cuz its warm).

Answer 7

Actualy, it depends on what happens. If it gets snowed on, it dies. If you put it in snow, it is likely not to die.

Answer 8

better chance with you in the snow, i just stomp them !!

Answer 9

Don't worry they can survive.

Answer 10

I'm glad you feel terrible...