What is spider molting?

I noticed what looked like a dead spider in my home, but someone said it might just be a spider molt. What does that mean?

Spiders grow by shedding their exoskeleton in a process called spider molting. Since their outer shell can’t stretch, they must shed it from time to time to make room for growth. When you find what looks like a dead spider, it may actually be a molted spider, which is just the empty shell left behind. Molting can happen several times in a spider’s life depending on the species.

Here are some commonly asked questions about spider molting:

• Do all spiders molt? Yes all spiders do molt and shed their exoskeleton as they grow.
• Are there spiders that molt more than once? Young spiders often molt many times before becoming adults.
• What is a molting spider like? During molting time, the spider is weak and may hide until the new shell hardens.
   

Spiders around your home making you feel uneasy?

If you’re worried about spider activity, our technicians can come and inspect your property, find how they’re getting in, and provide solutions to help protect your home from future infestations.