Spider season is here — but first things first: there are no spider photos in this blog. You are safe to scroll.
If September seems to bring an alarming increase in eight-legged visitors around the home, you are not imagining it. And, as a fellow spider hater, I would also quite like to know why they suddenly seem to be everywhere.
Late summer and early autumn are commonly associated with increased spider activity in the UK, particularly inside homes. While spiders may have been present throughout the year, they become much more noticeable at this time as they move around in search of mates and suitable shelter.
So, unfortunately, there is a reason September has earned a reputation for being spider season. The good news is that there are a few practical ways to make your home a little less welcoming.
Why Do You See More Spiders in September?
Spiders do not suddenly appear when summer ends. Many have been living quietly in gardens, sheds, garages and less disturbed areas of the home for months.
During late summer and early autumn, however, some species become much more active. Male house spiders in particular begin travelling further in search of females, which is why they are more likely to be spotted running across floors, climbing walls or appearing unexpectedly in bathrooms and bedrooms.
Lovely.
Research from the University of Gloucestershire found that UK house spider sightings peaked around mid-September, with males making up more than 80% of sightings.
This increased movement is one of the main reasons September has become known as “spider season” in the UK.
Are There Actually More Spiders in Autumn?
Not necessarily.
In many cases, there are not suddenly more spiders around your home. They are simply moving more and becoming easier to notice.
Which, admittedly, is not especially comforting when one is sprinting across the carpet.
Spiders may also move indoors or towards sheltered areas as temperatures begin to change. Open windows and doors, gaps around frames and other small openings can all provide access.
Why Do Spiders Come Into Houses?
There are several reasons spiders may enter or remain inside a property.
They may be searching for a mate, looking for shelter or following the insects they feed on.
Homes can provide plenty of suitable hiding places, particularly in quieter areas such as behind furniture, around window frames, in cupboards or in garages and utility rooms.
The insects inside your home can also make it an attractive place for spiders. Flies, mosquitoes, moths and other small insects all provide a potential food source.
In other words, keeping other insects out may also make your home slightly less appealing to their eight-legged predators.
Can Flyscreens Help Keep Spiders Out?
Flyscreens can help reduce one of the routes spiders and other insects may use to enter your home.
A properly fitted insect screen allows you to keep windows and doors open for ventilation while providing a physical barrier across the opening. Different types of insect mesh are available depending on what you need the screen to protect against.
However, we would never claim that a flyscreen can completely spider-proof a property. Spiders are frustratingly good at finding their way through gaps around doors, vents, cracks and other openings, so screening windows and doors should be considered one part of a wider approach.
Flyscreens can also help reduce the number of flying insects entering your home. As these insects are a food source for spiders, keeping them outside may make indoor spaces less attractive.
Will this guarantee you never encounter another spider? Sadly, no.
Can it remove one obvious entrance route while also keeping flies, moths and mosquitoes outside where they belong? Absolutely.
How to Reduce Spiders Getting Into Your Home
There are a few simple steps that may help reduce the number of spiders you encounter indoors.
Check windows and doors for gaps, particularly around frames and seals. Small openings can provide easy access for spiders as well as other insects.
If you already have flyscreens fitted, check the mesh for tears, loose edges or damage that may have developed over the summer. It is also a good time to give your screens a clean and carry out a little basic maintenance.
Keeping windows screened allows you to continue ventilating your home without leaving a completely open route for insects.
It can also help to reduce clutter around windows, doors and darker corners where spiders may be more likely to settle.
Outdoor lighting can attract flying insects towards doors and windows, so where possible, avoid leaving bright lights directly beside open entrances for long periods.
None of this requires getting particularly close to a spider, which is always a bonus.
When is spider season in the UK?
Spider season in the UK is most noticeable from late August through September and into early autumn. September is often when house spiders are seen more frequently because males become more active while searching for a mate.
Why are there so many spiders in September?
There are not necessarily more spiders in September. They simply become more visible as they move around more, particularly male house spiders searching for females.
Do spiders come inside because it is getting cold?
Not always. While sheltered indoor spaces can be appealing as the weather changes, many of the spiders seen indoors during autumn are already living in or around buildings. Their increased movement during mating season simply makes them much easier to spot.
Can flyscreens stop spiders coming into the house?
Flyscreens can help block spiders from entering through open windows and doors, but they cannot completely spider-proof a property. Spiders may still find their way inside through gaps, vents and other small openings.
Do flyscreens help reduce spiders indirectly?
Potentially, yes. Flyscreens help reduce the number of flies, moths, mosquitoes and other insects entering your home. As these insects are a food source for spiders, keeping them outside may make your home less attractive.
Should I keep my flyscreens fitted in autumn?
Yes. Flies, wasps and other insects can remain active well into autumn, particularly during warmer weather. Keeping your flyscreens fitted allows you to continue opening windows and doors for ventilation while reducing unwanted visitors.
Are there any spider photos in this article?
Absolutely not. We promised.
