A mom recently reached out in a Facebook cleaning group after noticing strange black droppings scattered around her home. Unsure of what they were, she shared photos and asked for advice from the community.
“Does anyone know what this is?” she asked. “It suddenly appeared on the baseboard in my dining room, and I’ve also seen small bits on the wallpaper and floor, even though I mop every day! It’s flat—not raised—and kind of looks like paint splatter, but it definitely isn’t.”
The responses were almost unanimous: spider poop.
Experts in pest control clarify that spiders don’t produce solid feces like some other pests. Instead, their droppings tend to be thick, liquid-like, and resemble dark ink stains. These droppings often appear on walls, baseboards, and other household surfaces, making them easy to confuse with other marks or stains.
Unlike the solid pellets left by insects like cockroaches or rodents, spider droppings show up as dark smudges or small drips. Different species of spiders can produce droppings that vary slightly in texture and color, which can make identification tricky for the average person.
Spider droppings commonly accumulate beneath their webs, especially in corners or places where cobwebs form. Since spiders prefer secluded, dark, and quiet spots, you may find their droppings in unexpected locations like closets, basements, or even behind furniture. These tiny droppings are usually about the size of a pinhead and can range in color from black or brown to white or gray, depending on the spider’s diet and species.
