Reason for Noticing More Spiders in Autumn
And What You Can Actually do to Control Them

It’s a cool September evening. You’ve turned on the heating for the first time, made a cuppa and settled on the sofa only to notice something else scuttling across the carpet. Another spider.

You’ve hoovered, closed all the windows, sprayed peppermint oil in all the places you thought you could, and yet they still come.

If this sounds like you, and it feels like your home becomes a spider hotel every autumn, you’re not going mad.

At Pestpatrol, we see a sudden spike in enquiries from Londoners around now.

Living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms are all fair game when the weather cools and our eight-legged neighbours become mobile.

Here’s the truth about why spiders suddenly make an appearance in the autumn months, what they’re actually doing and what you can actually do to stop them.

The Autumn Spider Boom: What’s Actually Going On?

Every year, like clockwork, spiders seem to launch a full-on invasion (or at least a full-on visible invasion) around September.

The reality is, they have not suddenly appeared in your home.

No, much like your rent, they have just been hiding and now you’ve noticed them.

The heightened visibility of spiders at this time of year is not actually because more are getting in from outside; in 80% of the cases they are already inside your room.

Autumn is simply spider mating season, which means the males are wandering around in full view, looking for a partner.

So it isn’t personal; they are not hunting you.
They are having a romantic experience which might involve regrettably pacing up and down your skirting boards and bathroom floor tiles.

Why Now? A Glimpse into Their Seasonal Behavior

Spiders are ectothermic creatures, depending on their surroundings to regulate their body temperature.

When temperatures set to drop a degree or two late summer/early autumn, they become more active indoors, combined with the mating season, you have an uninviting cocktail.

The central heating in London homes provides a warm and dry place for spiders to live and thrive.

Older homes have cracks and crevices for easy access for spiders to take up residence.

So while you are searching through your wardrobes for jumpers and filling up on soup, house spiders are preparing to party.

Common Offenders: Who’s Crawling Around?

These spider species are the most common spiders we see during autumn call outs in London homes:

Giant House Spider (Eratigena atrica): Not dangerous, but they are needing to get out of your way or move fast, long legs and lots of energy– and it particularly applies to male spiders trying to find a mate.

Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides): These have long spindly legs and hang upside-down in corners. They are not aggressive and feed on other small insects.

False Widow (Steatoda nobilis): At times, they can be less common in that they’re becoming more commonplace in some areas of London. They have mild venom but bites are considered rare and unlikely serious.

So, if you’re suddenly seeing a lot more of these spiders, it’s October.

The Real Reason You’re Seeing More of Them

Honestly, no one likes the unexpected spider rockets across the living room, or any other space,
but in actuality those spiders are more likely to be make an appearance rather than invade.

Here are the reasons you’re suddenly seeing them:

• Male spiders are moving: The males will have left their hiding places in search of females.
• Heating is attracting them: Central heating keeps it warm inside, resulting in an environment similar to that of a warm summer. It’s enough to keep them active.
• Breed: The majority of female spiders tend to remain hidden while the males walk about, so you are likely seeing the males.
• Diminishing light: The availability of daylight is shorter, you switch the light on earlier, and then suddenly a spider is rummaging around in the middle of the room.

Do you need to be concerned?

In one word: no.

If there is a spider, there is usually no threat posed by the majority of British house spiders.

They bite people only when frightened, in the rare occasion that they do, expect limited reactions.

They are not dirty anaesthetes, they don’t spread disease
(as anthropologists demonstrate by assessing their presence in historical artefacts prior to conservation), and they do provide us with a service in predation by consuming flies, moths, and small insects.

I understand that you do not want them wandering all over the place.

It is unreasonable to have a large number of spiders, or spiders appearing in certain areas without them disappearing for long periods of time.

What you can do about it

Let’s be honest: just spraying peppermint oil isn’t going to be enough.

You can spray peppermint oil until your house smells good but unless you deal with why spiders are coming out, they will continue to show up.

Pestpatrol have the suggested guidelines:

Declutter especially in corners

Spiders enjoy places that are undisturbed: lofts, cupboards, behind or below furniture, and the like. By decluttering, you are stopping them from being able to hide, and breaking up their territories.

Seal cracks and gaps

Look around windows, door frames, and skirting boards. Use sealants and draught excluders to seal-off access points.

Regular Vacuuming

Vacuuming doesn’t only remove spiders, it also removes spider egg sacs, spider webs and insects that spiders feed on.

Reduce Access from Outside

Keep windows closed at night when the lights are on. Turn off outdoor lights when not needed (they attract flying insects, which in turn attract spiders).

Use Traps and Deterrents

Purchasing spider catchers, sticky traps and even ultrasonic repellers will reduce spider numbers.

Mind Your Lighting

Insects congregate where it’s bright and spiders follow the food. For attractancy reasons, make use of blinds and other methods to lessen excessive light outside the windows.

Call in the Professionals

If you’re finding two or more spiders a day without effort, or believe you may have an infestation,
it could be in your best interest to call a professional for your inspections.

Here at Pestpatrol, we boast only discreet, fast spider control solutions across London.

We’ll inspect your house, deal with existing spider problems,
and ensure no further spiders try to set up without your permission!

Quick Myth Bust : No, They Are Not Coming Up Through The Plughole

The biggest myth we hear is that spiders crawl up through your drains,
that’s not possible!

Most species of spider can’t swim and plumbing traps (the u-bend) would ensure no insects are able to come up.

If you are seeing spiders in the bathroom it is because they love the water and there is likely space to hide behind the loo and under the sink.

Why you shouldn’t ignore them

You may feel like the best solution is to squash it and forget about it.

But, if you’re seeing spider activity (it could be a few tenants) just consider it may be a sign of something else, like, a steady supply of other insects (food source for spiders), or gaps or cracks in your property allowing the spider in.

Ignoring it now could result in many more surprises later.
Pests including spiders can live for a number of years.
Female spiders can lay hundreds of eggs.

It is better to take action than react to an existing problem.

Need help? Pestpatrol has each of your needs covered

At Pestpatrol, we have eradicated spider problems in all types of dwellings
ranging from warm and cosy studio flats in Clapham to large Victorian houses in Hampstead.

Whether you are dealing with just 1 very brave house spider,
or as many as 10 spiders a day,
we have the products and technical understanding to provide proper service.

If house spiders are beginning to feel like flat mates in your residence, it is time to take back control.

Head to our spider control page to learn more about the spider removal services we offer,
or give us a call for a free consultation without any obligation to act.

Don’t wait until they lay eggs.

Take the first step: Pestpatrol is waiting to help you from wherever you reside in London.