If you've noticed a few more eight-legged visitors making themselves at home recently, you're definitely not imagining it.
September is peak spider season in the UK, and there's a good reason you might suddenly be spotting more spiders around the house. As the weather starts to cool, September is also when many spiders are more active because it is their mating season. Male spiders are on the move looking for females, which means they're much more likely to wander into the parts of your home where you're actually going to notice them.
So, if you've already had a few encounters with a spider in the bathroom, hallway or behind the sofa, don't panic. Your home isn't necessarily attracting them because it's dirty!
There are plenty of myths about how to get rid of house spiders, from conkers to strong chemical sprays. So, let's separate fact from fiction and look at some simple ways to make your home less appealing to spiders this autumn.
Myth 1: Spiders come inside because your house is dirty
Fact: Not necessarily!
Finding a spider in your home doesn't mean you've got a dirty house. Spiders are simply looking for somewhere sheltered, and during September they can be particularly active as males search for a mate.
That said, keeping your home clean and tidy can help. Regular cleaning removes webs and eggs, while reducing the insects that spiders feed on can make your home less appealing to them.
So no, one spider in the corner doesn't mean you need to panic-clean the entire house!
Myth 2: September is when all spiders come inside
Fact: September is peak spider season, but not every spider is coming in from outside.
September is often when we're most likely to notice spiders indoors because it's their mating season. Male house spiders become much more active as they search for females, which can mean seeing them scuttling across floors, walls and ceilings.
Some spiders will already be living inside your home, while others may enter from outside through small gaps around windows, doors and other entry points.
Regularly cleaning corners, skirting boards and behind furniture can help you spot webs and keep those quieter areas of your home under control.
Myth 3: Conkers keep spiders away
Fact: There's no strong scientific evidence to prove it.
You've probably heard the classic autumn tip about placing conkers around your home to keep spiders away.
It's a popular old wives' tale, but there's no reliable scientific evidence that conkers repel spiders. So, if you're collecting conkers with the kids, enjoy them for some autumn crafts, but don't rely on them as your spider-control strategy!
Instead, focus on simple things that can genuinely help, such as:
- Keeping your home clean and clutter-free
- Regularly removing spider webs
- Sealing obvious gaps around windows and doors
- Keeping windows and doors closed when they're not needed
- Reducing insects around your home
- Cleaning darker, less frequently used areas regularly
Myth 4: Natural scents can help repel spiders
Fact: Some strong-smelling essential oils may help, although they're not a guaranteed solution.
If you'd rather avoid chemical spider repellents, there are a few natural options that are worth trying.
Spiders are thought to dislike certain strong scents, with peppermint and lavender being two of the most popular choices. You can add a few drops of essential oil to water in a spray bottle and lightly mist areas where you've noticed spiders or webs.
Other scents commonly suggested as natural spider repellents include:
- Peppermint
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Tea tree
- Citrus
As an added bonus, your home will smell lovely and fresh!
Just remember that natural repellents aren't a magic solution and their effectiveness can vary. Essential oils should also be used carefully around children and pets, as some oils can be harmful to them.
Myth 5: A spotless home will have no spiders
Fact: Even the cleanest homes can have spiders.
We'd love to tell you that a perfectly clean home means you'll never see a spider again, but unfortunately, that's not quite how it works.
Spiders can get inside through surprisingly small gaps and can find their way into almost any home. Regular cleaning won't create an impenetrable spider barrier, but it can help you spot webs and deal with them before they become a bigger nuisance.
This is especially useful in areas that can easily be overlooked, such as behind furniture, underneath beds, around skirting boards and in the corners of ceilings.
Myth 6: Spiders are attracted to dirty homes
Fact: They're more interested in food than dirt.
Spiders aren't particularly bothered about whether your kitchen worktops are spotless or whether you've remembered to dust the skirting boards.
What can make your home appealing is the presence of other insects. If there are plenty of flies, moths or other tiny insects around, there may be plenty of food for spiders too.
That's another reason why regular cleaning can help. Keeping food covered, wiping up crumbs and spills, emptying bins regularly and keeping windows and doors clean can all help reduce the little insects that spiders feed on.
Myth 7: You need strong chemicals to get rid of spiders
Fact: You don't necessarily need them.
If you're looking for ways to get rid of spiders in your home, you don't always need to reach for strong chemical sprays.
If you're comfortable doing so, a glass and piece of card can be used to carefully catch and release a spider outside. You can also regularly vacuum up webs and remove them from corners before they have a chance to build up.
A good cleaning routine, combined with natural scents such as peppermint or lavender, can be a much simpler approach for keeping your home feeling fresh and reducing the places spiders like to settle.
Why autumn cleaning can help
Autumn is actually a great time to give your home a little extra attention.
As we spend more time indoors and start closing windows and doors, it's easy for dust, cobwebs and clutter to build up in those forgotten areas. A good autumn clean gives you the perfect opportunity to get into those places you might normally overlook.
Pay particular attention to:
- Corners of ceilings and walls
- Behind and underneath furniture
- Around windows and doors
- Skirting boards
- Cupboards and wardrobes
- Garages and sheds
- Loft spaces
- Behind appliances
You don't need to deep clean your entire house every time you spot a spider, but keeping on top of regular cleaning can help your home feel fresher, tidier and less inviting to all sorts of unwanted little visitors.
So, what's the best way to keep spiders away?
Unfortunately, there isn't a magic trick that will guarantee a completely spider-free home. September is their busiest time of year, so seeing the occasional spider is completely normal.
However, there are plenty of simple things you can do to make your home less appealing to them. Keep things clean, reduce clutter, regularly remove webs and check for gaps around windows and doors. You could also try natural scents such as peppermint or lavender if you like the idea of a fresh-smelling, chemical-free approach.
And remember, seeing the occasional spider doesn't mean your home is dirty. They're simply part of the natural world, and September happens to be when they're particularly active.
If you'd rather spend your autumn enjoying a clean, cosy home than chasing cobwebs around the ceiling, that's where we can help.
At Time For You, our professional domestic cleaners can take care of the regular cleaning jobs that keep your home looking and feeling fresh, from dusting and vacuuming to those easily forgotten corners where cobwebs love to appear.
So, this autumn, leave the spiders to their corners and let us take care of the cleaning.
Looking for a professional domestic cleaner? Find your local Time For You cleaning office and take one more job off your autumn to-do list.
