Spider Season 2026: Why are there so many spiders in my house, are they dangerous, and how to get rid of them - including what essential oils to use
It’s the worst time of the year for arachnophobics.
The fear of spiders is one of the most common phobias out there - with the mere thought of an arachnid enough to bring many people out in a cold sweat.
Luckily, compared to somewhere like Australia, Scots have it pretty easy on the spider front and, for the most part, they are relatively easy to avoid.
That is until autumn, which is the unofficial ‘spider season’ when we suddenly start seeing the eight-legged creatures in our homes.
Here’s everything you need to know about why it’s happening - and how to control it.
When is spider season in the UK?
Spider season lasts between 6 to 10 weeks, running from late August through to mid-October or early November. The height of spider activity peaks in September.
Why am I seeing more spiders in my house at the moment?
As summer comes to an end and temperatures begin to fall, sightings of house spiders start to increase across the UK.
Despite the common belief that spiders suddenly move indoors to escape the cold, experts say there's another reason you're suddenly finding them in your bath, racing across the carpet or dangling from the ceiling.
Autumn is the peak mating season for many of the UK's most common house spiders, with males leaving their usual hiding places in search of females.
Around 80 per cent of the spiders you notice indoors are mature male spiders wandering away from their usual hiding spots in search of stationary females
That increased movement, combined with doors and windows being left open during the final weeks of warmer weather, means homeowners are far more likely to notice them.
Are the spiders in my home dangerous?
You may not want to know this, but Scotland has over 400 native species of spider coming in all shapes and sizes. The good news is that none of them are dangerous to humans (or dogs - unless they eat one).
That huge spider that you just saw that terrified you is probably a giant house spider - one of the most common spiders in Scotland and the one that tends to head into human homes to breed in autumn. They are alarmingly large and incredibly fast, but completely harmless. In fact, they can be a great help in controlling (other) pests around your home.
In recent years a number of False Widow spiders have been encountered in the Scottish Borders as they move northward through the UK. They may look like the notorious Black Widow spider but their bite, while painful, won’t cause any lasting harm.
How can I stop spiders from moving into my home?
A few simple steps can make your home less atractive for our eight-legged friends. The experts at Fluid Glass have shared eight practical steps you can take this autumn:
Keep other insects under control
One of the biggest misconceptions is that spiders are attracted to homes because they're warm. In reality, they're usually following a food source. Spiders are predators, so a house full of flies, moths and other insects is effectively an all-you-can-eat buffet. If fruit is left uncovered, food waste is allowed to build up, or recycling isn't emptied regularly, you'll often end up attracting the insects that spiders feed on.Keeping kitchen surfaces clean, storing food properly and making sure bins are emptied frequently can help reduce the number of insects in your home and, in turn, the number of spiders.
Move furniture away from the walls when you're cleaning
Most people vacuum the middle of a room and quickly run a duster over visible surfaces, but spiders rarely spend their time in the places you clean most often. They prefer undisturbed areas behind wardrobes, sofas, bedside tables and cabinets, where they can build webs without being disturbed.Even pulling furniture away from the wall once a month to vacuum behind it can disrupt existing webs, remove egg sacs and make it far less likely that spiders will settle there long term.
Tackle the clutter you keep meaning to sort out
That pile of cardboard boxes in the spare room, the bags stored under the bed and the overflowing cupboard under the stairs are all prime real estate for spiders.Clutter creates sheltered, dark spaces where spiders can hide during the day and hunt at night. Garages, lofts and utility rooms are particularly attractive because they're often left untouched for long periods. If there's one time of year to clear out forgotten storage areas, it's just before autumn arrives.
Cut back plants growing against your property
Your garden could be making it much easier for spiders to find their way indoors. Climbing plants, overgrown shrubs and dense planting around doors and windows create natural pathways between the garden and your home. They also attract the insects that spiders feed on.Trimming plants away from exterior walls, moving stored firewood away from the house and clearing away garden debris can create a useful barrier between outdoor habitats and your living space.
Pay attention to damp areas
Bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms often become spider hotspots, partly because they're humid and partly because they're where other insects are most likely to gather.Condensation around windows, poor ventilation and damp corners create the sort of environment that many household pests enjoy. Using extractor fans, opening windows after showering and dealing with leaks promptly can make these spaces much less inviting.
Check the gaps you don't usually notice
Spiders don't need a large opening to get inside. They regularly enter homes through air bricks, chimneys, pipe openings, vents, gaps beneath doors and cracks in brickwork. Older properties can be particularly vulnerable because seals around doors and windows naturally deteriorate over time.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.
Don't forget your windows
Window frames often collect dead insects, dust and old cobwebs, all of which can encourage spiders to return to the same spot. Cleaning the frames, tracks and surrounding seals removes established webs and gives you the opportunity to spot any damaged seals that need repairing. It's a simple job, but one that's often overlooked.
Think twice about outdoor lighting
Bright lights by your front door or porch are a magnet for moths and other flying insects after dark, and where the insects gather, spiders soon follow. If you've got a porch light or security light that's on all evening, it's worth switching to a warmer, dimmer bulb or fitting a motion sensor so it's not left blazing all night. Moving lights away from doors and windows, so the glow doesn't spill directly onto them, can also help keep insects (and spiders) from congregating right at your entry points.Although they're an unwelcome sight for many people, spiders play an important role in controlling other household pests. In fact, many of the spiders you spot in autumn have probably been sharing your home for months; they're only becoming more difficult to ignore.
What can I use to repel spiders from my home?
Essential oils are a great way to repel spiders. Benjamin Borseth, Managing Director at Aromantic, the natural skincare experts, says the key is knowing which oils to use and where to apply them.
He explained: “Spiders rely on their sensory systems to navigate their surroundings, and strong botanical aromas can make particular areas less appealing. Peppermint is particularly popular because of its intense, distinctive fragrance, while oils such as eucalyptus and citrus can also be incorporated into natural deterrent approaches.”
The essential oils commonly used to help deter spiders include:
- Peppermint – a strong, fresh aroma that is commonly used as a natural spider deterrent
- Eucalyptus – a powerful, distinctive scent often used in natural pest-deterring blends
- Tea tree – a strong botanical aroma that can be used around potential entry points
- Citrus oils – fresh scents such as lemon and orange are commonly used to help make areas less appealing to spiders
As to where you should place the essential oils, Benjamin advises: “By the time you start noticing spiders around the home, they may have already set up their hiding places.
“Rather than only applying a deterrent when a spider appears, it can be more effective to think about prevention. Windowsills and doorways are good places to focus on because they can provide easy access into the home. You can also consider areas such as skirting boards, corners, garages and sheds where spiders are more likely to settle.
“Consistency is important when using scented deterrents because their aroma will naturally fade over time. Reapplying regularly, particularly around potential entry points, can help maintain the scent.
“However, essential oils should always be used appropriately. They should not be applied directly to spiders, and homeowners should take care around pets, children and sensitive surfaces.”
Should I try to get rid of spiders from my home?
Although they're an unwelcome sight for many people, spiders play an important role in controlling other household pests. In fact, many of the spiders you spot in autumn have probably been sharing your home for months; they're only becoming more difficult to ignore. So, if you can, it’s maybe worth just living with them.
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