When do spiders come indoors? How to protect YOUR home from bugs this spider season

Spiders big and small will soon be invading your home as mating season begins. Each autumn as the weather cools, eight-legged bugs begin to come indoors. Almost one in five Britons suffer from arachnophobia and given that there are more than 650 different species of spiders in the UK, all of which can bite, it is unsurprising that some people struggle with the spider invasion which happens from September to October each year. So how can you protect your home from arachnids this spider season?

When do spiders come indoors?

Each year, eight-legged creatures begin to invade your home as they look for a mate.

Professor Adam Hart, an entomologist at the University of Gloucestershire, has researched the seasonal spider cycle.

He says around 80 percent of the spider’s people catch a glimpse of scuttling around their homes are males who are on the hunt for mates and females indoors.

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Professor Hart said: “It is to do with the time of the year. It is the mating season for the spiders.”

He added: “The females can be seen on webs in garages and windowsills, while the males wander around looking for chances to mate.

“And of course our houses are nice places for them to come and do that.”

David Cross, head of the technical training academy at Rentokil Pest Control, said: “Spiders are beneficial to our environment, and most species that are found in the UK are not dangerous and are not considered pests.

“However, any animal that is found where it’s not wanted can be seen as a pest.”

How to protect your house from spiders?

Most spiders are not harmful to human beings.

While all species of spiders can bite, often their fangs are too small to pierce human skin, so no damage is inflicted.

Luckily out of the 650 spider species in the UK, there are only 12 of these species which can actually cause harm to a human being.

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Various remedies to keeping spiders out of your home have been suggested over the years such as putting conkers or ostrich eggs in the corners of rooms.

However, there is no scientific proof that either of these deters spiders.

The main way to keep your home spider-free is to keep your house clean and tidy, thereby limiting the number of places a spider can hide inside your home.

Professor Hart said: “Keeping windows and doors shut can help. But spiders still seem to find a way into almost anywhere.”

Mr Cross said the top five ways to keep spiders out of your home are:

1. Vacuum regularly – high and low

Ensure that you vacuum thoroughly, including sheltered spots, such as beneath worktops and behind cupboards and sofas.

2. Remove noticeable webs

Remove spider webs regularly and be sure to check the corners of the ceiling, picture frames and mirrors.

3. Fill gaps

Wherever possible, make sure that you fill in the gaps between walls, pipework and under the doors which can help to deter entry.

4. Remove sheltering sites

Spiders seek out areas where they can tuck themselves away from such as in your firewood piles, garden bags and any compost heaps, remove these to eliminate the problem.

5. Deter all insects

The best way to do avoid all insects is to control your lighting. Insects are attracted to light, especially flies and moths, which are ideal prey for spiders.

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