Spider season has arrived, and experts say that regularly cleaning one specific area of your home could be the key to keeping the eight-legged arachnids at bay. With temperatures dropping and cooler days setting in, spiders seek warmth and shelter in homes and garages, often entering through air bricks, chimneys, pipe openings, vents, gaps beneath doors, and cracks in brickwork.
Window frames are a spider hotspot
According to experts at Fluid Glass, older properties are particularly vulnerable because seals around doors and windows naturally deteriorate over time. A Fluid Glass spokesperson said: “Older properties can be particularly vulnerable because seals around doors and windows naturally deteriorate over time.”
The spokesperson added: “Before autumn arrives, it’s worth walking around the outside of your property and looking for obvious entry points that could be sealed with filler, fresh sealant or draught-proofing. House spiders are known to enter through open windows, chimneys and gaps beneath doors.”
One area that can quickly become a spider hotspot is window frames, which “often collect dead insects, dust and old cobwebs, all of which can encourage spiders to return to the same spot.” Fluid Glass recommends “cleaning the frames, tracks and surrounding seals” to remove “established webs” and to spot any damaged seals that need repairing.
Simple cleaning routine
Keeping on top of window cleaning could make a big difference in deterring unwanted intruders. The spokesperson added: “It’s a simple job, but one that’s often overlooked.”
Many people turn to social media for tips, such as spraying peppermint oil around entry points or rubbing lemon or orange peels along windowsills, baseboards, and corners. Some believe conkers placed in room corners repel spiders, but this is a myth—conkers do not release a strong, airborne scent that would plausibly repel spiders across a room.
Other deterrent tips
Additional advice includes sealing entry points with caulk, fitting door sweeps, and repairing window screens. Removing webs and egg sacs quickly discourages spiders from reusing spots. Vacuuming edges, corners, behind furniture, and along skirting boards helps reduce spider presence. Reducing clutter and cutting down the food supply by keeping food sealed, bins closed, and fixing leaks can also help. Some households use diluted peppermint oil or vinegar as a short-term repellent, though surfaces should be spot-tested first and kept away from pets, especially cats.
