How to Prevent Spiders Coming In
Timing your prevention efforts with spider activity patterns maximizes effectiveness.
Before Spider Season (July-August):
- Seal entry points: Fill cracks, gaps under doors, window frames, vents
- Install door sweeps: Block gaps under external doors (main entry route)
- Repair window screens: Fix holes, ensure tight fit
- Add vent covers: Mesh over air vents (maintain airflow, block spiders)
- Reduce outdoor lighting: Lights attract insects (spiders follow prey)
- Clear vegetation: Trim plants away from walls, remove spider habitats near house
During Spider Season (August-October):
- Regular vacuuming: Remove spiders, webs, egg sacs before they hatch
- Reduce clutter: Fewer hiding spots = fewer spiders staying
- Control insects: Eliminate flies, moths (spider food source)
- Use conkers: Place conkers near entry points (traditional deterrent, limited evidence)
- Essential oils: Peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus sprays (temporary deterrent)
- Keep lights off: Don’t leave outdoor lights on unnecessarily at night
Year-Round Prevention:
- Clean regularly: Vacuum corners, behind furniture, under beds weekly
- Declutter: Reduce cardboard boxes, piles of clothes, stored items
- Fix leaks: Repair dripping taps, pipes (moisture attracts insects and spiders)
- Seal food: Store food in airtight containers (reduces flies/insects)
- Empty bins regularly: Don’t let waste attract flies
- Maintain garden: Keep grass short, remove debris, clear gutters
Natural Deterrents (Limited Effectiveness):
May Help
- Peppermint oil spray (strong scent)
- Conkers near entry points (traditional method)
- Chestnuts/horse chestnuts (similar to conkers)
- Cedar blocks in cupboards
- Citrus peels near windows
Limited Evidence
- Ultrasonic repellents (spiders lack ears)
- Vinegar spray (temporary only)
- Lavender (pleasant smell, weak deterrent)
- Lemon spray (short-term effect)
- Most deterrents require frequent reapplication
Most effective prevention: Physical barriers (sealing entry points) + reducing food sources (insect control).
Natural deterrents are supplementary, not primary solutions.
When to Call Professional Spider Control
Most spider sightings don’t require professional help, but some situations do.
Call Professional Spider Control If:
- Severe infestation: Seeing 10+ spiders daily, webs everywhere
- Spider phobia (arachnophobia): Fear preventing you from dealing with spiders yourself
- False widow spiders: Aggressive species that can bite (medical risk)
- Commercial property: Business premises, rental properties (health & safety requirement)
- Recurring problem: Spiders return despite DIY prevention efforts
- Large spiders: Giant house spiders causing distress to household
- Inaccessible areas: Loft, basement, crawl space infestations you can’t reach
- Egg sacs: Multiple egg sacs found (each contains 100-300 spiderlings)
- Vulnerable residents: Elderly, children, or people with health conditions affected
Our Spider Control Service:
- Property survey: Identify spider species, entry points, harbourage areas
- Targeted treatment: Residual insecticide spray to key areas (safe for pets/children when dry)
- Web removal: Clear existing webs, egg sacs, spider debris
- Entry point sealing: Advise on/seal gaps, cracks, vulnerable areas
- Prevention advice: Tailored recommendations for your property
- Follow-up: Return visit if spiders persist (included in price)
Treatment Effectiveness:
- Immediate: Kills spiders on contact, removes visible spiders/webs
- Residual protection: 8-12 weeks (kills spiders that cross treated surfaces)
- Reduction: 80-95% reduction in spider sightings within 2 weeks
- Timing: Best applied July-August (before peak spider season)
- Maintenance: Annual treatment recommended for severe/recurring infestations
Cost:
- Standard treatment: £80-£120 (residential property, Derby/Ripley area)
- Large property: £120-£180 (4+ bedrooms, extensive grounds)
- Commercial: £150-£300+ (depends on size, health & safety requirements)
- Emergency service: +£40-£50 (same-day/weekend service for severe phobia cases)
Worth it for: Severe infestations, spider phobia, recurring problems, peace of mind during spider season.
Most homeowners manage with DIY prevention, but professional treatment provides guaranteed results and long-term protection.
Spider Season UK Guide
Complete guide to UK spider season: when it starts/ends, why spiders enter homes, prevention strategies, and what to expect each month.
Read spider season guide.
Professional Spider Control
Expert spider removal for Derby, Ripley, and Amber Valley. Targeted treatment, web removal, prevention advice. Ideal for severe infestations and arachnophobia.
See spider control service.
Other Pest Control Services
We also control wasps, rats, mice, bed bugs, fleas, beetles, and more across Derby. Same-day emergency service available.
Explore all services.
Spider Activity FAQs
When do spiders come out in the UK?
Spiders are most visible August-October (spider season/mating season), especially September.
Male spiders leave webs to search for mates, entering homes in large numbers. However, spiders are present year-round—autumn just makes them more visible.
Winter: hiding indoors for warmth. Spring: spiderlings hatch. Summer: stay outdoors (abundant food).
Peak indoor sightings: late August to mid-October. See complete seasonal guide.
What time of day are spiders most active?
Spiders are nocturnal—most active at night (8pm-6am).
You’re more likely to see spiders in evening/early morning when they hunt for insects, build webs, and search for mates.
Daytime: spiders hide in dark, undisturbed areas (behind furniture, cupboards, corners).
Dawn/dusk: moderate activity (transition periods).
Why night: avoid predators, follow nocturnal insect prey, cooler temperatures, homes quieter.
Why do spiders suddenly appear in my house?
Spiders “suddenly appear” in autumn (August-October) because male spiders actively search for mates instead of staying hidden.
They’re not actually new—they’ve been present all year but hidden. Mating season makes males roam, enter homes, cross open spaces.
Other reasons: temperature drops (seeking warmth), following insect prey indoors, accidental entry through open windows/doors.
Giant house spiders are fastest, most visible species during this period.
How do I stop spiders coming into my house?
Seal entry points (gaps under doors, window frames, cracks), reduce insects (spider food), and declutter (fewer hiding spots).
Best timing: seal entry points in July-August before spider season.
Key actions: install door sweeps, repair window screens, add vent mesh, vacuum regularly, fix leaks, store food properly, reduce outdoor lighting.
Natural deterrents (peppermint oil, conkers) have limited effectiveness—physical barriers most reliable.
Professional treatment: £80-£120 for 8-12 weeks protection.
Are spiders more active in hot or cold weather?
Spiders are more active in warm weather (spring/summer) but more visible indoors in cool weather (autumn/winter).
Summer: high outdoor activity, abundant food, stay in gardens. Autumn: temperatures drop, spiders seek shelter indoors (more visible to humans).
Winter: slow metabolism, minimal movement, hide in warm spots. Spring: activity increases as temperatures rise, spiderlings hatch.
Peak indoor sightings: September (warm autumn days + mating season). Extreme heat/cold reduces activity.
Do spiders come out more at night?
Yes. Most UK spiders are nocturnal (active at night) to avoid predators and hunt nocturnal insects. Night activity: hunting, web building, mating searches, moving between hiding spots. Why you see them at night: crossing open floors (kitchens, bathrooms), attracted to lights (following insect prey), homes quieter (spiders feel safer). Daytime: spiders rest in dark corners, behind furniture, under beds. Exception: garden spiders may be visible in webs during day.
What month do spiders come into houses?
August-October, with peak in September. This is spider mating season when male spiders leave webs to search for females, entering homes in large numbers. September is warmest autumn month, triggering maximum male activity. By November, mating season ends, males die, activity declines. Spiders also enter in winter (seeking warmth) but less noticeable because they hide immediately. Prepare in July: seal entry points before August influx.
How long does spider season last in the UK?
Spider season lasts approximately 8-10 weeks: late August to early November, peaking in September. Timeline: August (begins), September (peak), October (continues), November (declines). By mid-November, most male spiders have died after mating, and females settle into hiding spots to overwinter. Egg sacs laid in autumn hatch in spring (March-May), starting cycle again. See detailed spider season timeline.
Are UK spiders dangerous?
No. Most UK spiders are harmless—they don’t bite humans and aren’t venomous enough to cause harm. Exception: false widow spiders can bite if threatened (painful but not dangerous, similar to wasp sting). House spiders, giant house spiders, cellar spiders, garden spiders: all harmless, beneficial (eat flies/mosquitoes). Bites are extremely rare (spiders prefer to run away). If bitten: clean wound, apply ice, take antihistamine if swelling occurs. Seek medical help if severe reaction (very rare).
Should I kill spiders in my house?
No need to kill spiders—they’re beneficial (eat flies, mosquitoes, other pests) and harmless. Better approach: catch and release outdoors using glass + card method, or vacuum and release outside. Killing spiders doesn’t prevent more entering (seal entry points instead). If severe infestation or phobia: professional treatment (£80-£120) provides humane, effective control without killing individual spiders. Most spiders die naturally after mating season (October-November) or live 1-2 years maximum.
