Do We Really Swallow 8 Spiders In Our Sleep Every Year?

Have you ever heard the creepy claim that we unknowingly swallow eight spiders every year while we sleep? This long-standing belief has been circulating for years, but is there any truth to it? Let's delve into the science and uncover the reality behind this urban legend.

House Spiders: Uninvited Guests?

It's true that we share our homes with various spider species. House spiders, well-adapted to indoor living, are often nocturnal, roaming around at night in search of food or a mate. However, to these creatures, we are giants. Even the largest house spider is significantly smaller and lighter than the average human.

Why Spiders Avoid Us

When we're still, spiders have no interest in us. When we move, our size makes us a potential threat. Spiders possess finely tuned sensory hairs called trichobothria, which detect even the slightest vibrations in their environment. The movement caused by a sleeping person's exhalation, especially a snoring one, is more than enough to deter them from venturing near our mouths.

The Origin of the Myth

So, where did this bizarre idea originate?

Many sources point to a 1993 article by a PC Professional columnist named Lisa Birgit Holst, who supposedly invented false 'facts' to illustrate how easily people accept information as truth. One of these 'facts' was the notion that we swallow multiple spiders a year in our sleep.

The Myth Behind the Myth

Ironically, the story of Holst's article being the origin is itself a myth. Neither the publication nor the author ever existed. The name 'Lisa Birgit Holst' is an anagram of 'this is a big troll'. A writer for Snopes.com fabricated this origin story as a cautionary tale about checking sources.

While Snopes admitted to fabricating the source, they didn't invent the myth itself. They cited a 1999 Guardian listicle, predating their 2001 post about Holst.

Further investigation revealed a trivia list from April 1, 1999, compiled by Clemson University Professor Denis E Steveson. His list of 'Little Known Facts' included the statement: 'The average human eats 8 spiders in their lifetime at night.' This appears to have been added for April Fool's Day.

The Truth

Despite the unconfirmed origin, the idea that we swallow spiders in our sleep is absolutely false.

Unknowingly Eating Bugs

While we can rest easy knowing we're not swallowing spiders in our sleep, there's a possibility we've unknowingly consumed insects while awake.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has guidelines specifying the amount of insect parts permitted in various food types before action is taken. For example, wheat flour can contain up to 75 insect fragments per 50 grams.

Bug Matter

While it might sound unappetizing, a bit of bug matter is harmless. In fact, with the growing global population, crickets are being considered as a potential source of farmed animal protein.

Conclusion

Sleep soundly knowing that spiders want nothing to do with us. And perhaps, don't scrutinize FDA guidelines too closely if you want to continue enjoying your favorite foods!