Do we REALLY eat spiders when we sleep?

[vicogden]

I don't remember how many times I've read on a blog or other site about how many spiders we "eat" while sleeping.  But is this just a myth, or is it the truth?  If you don't want the answer, don't read on!

The truth is that, although it is true there are billions of humans who sleep at night and billions of spiders who work the graveyard shift while we sleep, the probability of actually "eating" a spider by having one crawl in your mouth during your slumber is very, very low.  You can find this information on various sites available on the Web, but common sense has got to apply as well:  How many times has a friend or loved one told you he or she has been awakened at night with a spider trying to make it's way into his/her mouth? 

[articx]

While watching a television series about urban legends, they explained that spiders were not crawling into people's mouths when they sleep. People were eating spiders because spiders were in the food they eat. They got into the food while in factories and could not be removed because they were too small.

[kqa]

I find it hard to believe and know that it would wake me up because I'm a light sleeper!

[monnee]

It could probably happen if you sleep with your mouth open and it crawls or drops in and you would never know since your asleep. 

[jaherna67]

I think that there is a very slim chance of a person eating a bug or spider while sleeping. But one will never know since that person is asleep.

[PMZ908]

im sure its true, just the other day i was taking a nap and woke up with a spider about to land on my face

[EAngels]

That quiet alarming dude....and kinda scary too.

[discardedheart]

EW. i most certainly HOPE i haven't ever eaten a spider! it's a possibility that i would rather not think about ;p

[texaswhiterose]

Oh great, now I am going to have nightmares about eating spiders. Thank you very much. LOL!!! Seriously though, I think that is a bunch of bull dung. If a spider gets close to a sleeping persons open mouth I think they would be deterred by the warm breath. Most spiders avoid humans when possible. The thought that a spider would actually crawl in your mouth while your sleeping gives me the *bleep*.

[Jessica_lynn]

I most certainly hope we don't eat spiders but apparently we eat approximately 7 spiders when we are sleeping in a year! Isn't that disgusting! I mean ew, who would ever think of that.. I wonder how they figured this one out! And in all honestly if we eat about 7 spiders in a year what else falls into our mouth!! Ugh! I don't even want to know lmao

[vicogden]

Just to follow-up, unless you are really hungry, the chances of eating one during sleep is VERY LOW.  Here's an excerpt from www.brownreclusespider.org:

"Facts show that spiders do climb onto the beds when hunting at night while humans are sleeping. They go in search for insects but, of course, not humans. Yet, spiders bite humans in their sleep, because people tend to move while sleeping and roll onto them (learn more in Why spiders bite while humans are sleeping?). Now, spiders do hide in small dark places, especially holes, and a mouth wide open of a person sleeping in his bed just appears to be a good place to hide. Even though this is partly true, there are some details that should be taken into consideration. First of all, we are breathing. This means hot air going in and out from our mouth, and spiders know --in the way spiders are able to know-- that such a hole is not a safe place. There is also another thing: despite the fact that a person can be asleep, the inside of a mouth is quite sensitive, and anything with legs crawling into our tongue will be enough to wake us up. Even if the person does not wake up, he will probably push back the spider with his tongue, close the mouth immediately when something is over his face or take it off with a sleepy hand."

[jkhanson]

Just to follow-up, unless you are really hungry, the chances of eating one during sleep is VERY LOW.  Here's an excerpt from www.brownreclusespider.org:

"Facts show that spiders do climb onto the beds when hunting at night while humans are sleeping. They go in search for insects but, of course, not humans. Yet, spiders bite humans in their sleep, because people tend to move while sleeping and roll onto them (learn more in Why spiders bite while humans are sleeping?). Now, spiders do hide in small dark places, especially holes, and a mouth wide open of a person sleeping in his bed just appears to be a good place to hide. Even though this is partly true, there are some details that should be taken into consideration. First of all, we are breathing. This means hot air going in and out from our mouth, and spiders know --in the way spiders are able to know-- that such a hole is not a safe place. There is also another thing: despite the fact that a person can be asleep, the inside of a mouth is quite sensitive, and anything with legs crawling into our tongue will be enough to wake us up. Even if the person does not wake up, he will probably push back the spider with his tongue, close the mouth immediately when something is over his face or take it off with a sleepy hand."

THANK GOODNESS I am not eating spiders!  As you said, they are out there at night so I probably have had one (or two... LOL) crawl on me.  But at least I am alseep and don't SEE them and my brain is "asleep" enough to not wake me up from their little spider feet walking on me.  EEWWW!!

[ladycasshmere]

how could anyone not feel something crawling in their mouth.Well Im a light sleeper anyway.

[gaylasue]

I'm believing it is a myth.  Hoping, anyway.

[Anasatsia]

I do not believe that one bit.  Has there ever been a suggestion that SOME PEOPLE SLEEP WITH THEIR MOUTHS CLOSED???  I think, maybe if people sleep while they are drooling all over their pillow, and plus, wouldnt the sleeper choke because they are breathing with their mouth and the supposid spider get sucked into the lungs?   I mean REALLY when you think about it form every angle, it's most likely impossible.  But a sliver of possibility.