British homeowners are being urged to clear clutter from their cupboards this September to help keep unwanted pests at bay this autumn. The UK is officially entering spider season, meaning more of these eight-legged visitors are likely to start making their way into homes as temperatures begin to drop.
As the weather cools, spiders head indoors in search of food, shelter, and to mate. The good news is that there are methods to stop the critters in their tracks, including reducing clutter in storage areas.
Why spider sightings increase in autumn
Leigh Fowler, Assistant General Manager at JG Pest Control, told the Daily Express: "Spider sightings tend to increase in early autumn because many common house spiders become more active as they search for mates."
"It can feel as though they have suddenly appeared indoors, but in many cases they may already have been living unnoticed in and around the property."
He added: "Regular vacuuming is one of the simplest preventative measures. Pay particular attention to corners, behind furniture, beneath beds, around window frames and other undisturbed areas where spiders and webs can build up."
Reducing clutter and sealing entry points
"It's also worth reducing clutter in garages, cupboards, lofts and storage areas. Cardboard boxes and items that are rarely moved provide ideal hiding places, so using sealed plastic storage containers can make these spaces less inviting," Mr Fowler said.
Spiders are shy creatures and prefer quiet areas. This means they're attracted to cluttered areas as they can live undisturbed and insects, like ants and flies, that are attracted to rubbish and crumbs. Moving items and wiping down shelves also helps break up webs and forces spiders to move. An empty, clean, and well-lit cupboard offers no cover and makes the space unappealing for the critters.
Mr Fowler added: "Outside, keep vegetation and stored items away from the walls of the property where possible. Ivy, overgrown plants, firewood and garden clutter can all provide shelter for spiders and the insects they prey on."
What to avoid and when to call a professional
"One common mistake is relying heavily on home remedies such as peppermint oil. While these are often recommended online, they shouldn't be treated as a guaranteed way of preventing spiders. Physical measures such as proofing gaps, reducing clutter and controlling insect activity are much more dependable," he said.
"If you are seeing unusually large numbers of spiders, repeated webbing in the same locations or you suspect another insect problem is attracting them, it may be worth having the property assessed professionally."
Other methods to stop spiders from entering your home include checking windows and doors for small gaps, as well as sealing any potential entry points. Mr Fowler explained: "The best way to reduce spiders indoors is to make the home less attractive to both spiders and the insects they feed on. Check around windows, doors, pipework and air vents for small gaps, and seal obvious entry points where appropriate. Fitting mesh to frequently opened windows can also help."
He continued: "Outdoor lighting can indirectly encourage spider activity because lights attract flying insects. Where possible, avoid leaving bright exterior lights on unnecessarily, particularly close to open windows and doors."
