As the days get shorter and the nights begin drawing in, you might notice a few extra eight-legged visitors sneaking into your home. Autumn is spider season in the UK, and while most of them are harmless, it doesn’t make them any more welcome. The good news is there are plenty of simple, natural ways to keep spiders out of your home without resorting to harsh chemicals.

Here are five tried-and-tested tips to help keep your home spider-free this autumn.

1. Keep your home clean and clutter-free

Spiders love hiding in dark, dusty corners, so a regular cleaning routine is your first line of defence. Pay special attention to areas like:

• Skirting boards and corners of rooms
• Behind and under furniture
• Storage spaces such as lofts, garages, and cupboards

Vacuum regularly, including ceilings where webs can form. The fewer hiding spots there are, the less appealing your home becomes to spiders.

2. Seal up cracks and gaps

Spiders often slip indoors through tiny gaps around windows, doors, and pipework. Check your home for entry points and seal them with caulk or draught excluders. Not only will this keep spiders out, it will also help reduce draughts and cut down on energy bills as winter approaches.

3. Use natural deterrents

If you’d prefer to avoid chemical sprays, there are plenty of natural spider deterrents that actually work. Spiders dislike strong scents such as peppermint, citrus, and eucalyptus.

Try these easy solutions:

• Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water and spray it around windowsills and doorframes.
• Place citrus peels near entry points.
• Keep a small eucalyptus plant by your window for a double win of greenery and spider control.

4. Tidy the outside of your home

Spiders often build webs in sheds, wood piles, and garden debris before making their way inside. Keeping the outside of your home tidy can make a big difference.

• Move bins and wood piles away from external walls.
• Trim back plants and shrubs near doors and windows.
• Sweep away webs from outside lights, which tend to attract insects (a spider’s favourite food).

5. Don’t forget lighting choices

Insects are drawn to bright outdoor lights, and spiders follow where the food is. If you can, switch to warm-coloured bulbs for your outdoor lighting, or simply keep lights off when you don’t need them. Fewer insects buzzing around means fewer spiders hanging about.

Final Thoughts

Spiders are a normal part of autumn, but that doesn’t mean they have to take over your home. By keeping your space clean, sealing up gaps, and making use of natural deterrents, you can reduce the chances of seeing those long legs scuttling across your floor.

And if you’d like a hand keeping your home spotless this season, the team at Time For You Cleaning is here to help. A clean and fresh home is not just more inviting for you, it’s far less inviting for spiders.