Simple Ways to Keep Spiders Out of Your Home This Autumn

As summer draws to a close, many households begin preparing for cooler evenings, shorter days and the arrival of autumn. However, there is another seasonal change that some people would rather avoid: spiders becoming more noticeable indoors.

During late summer and autumn, spiders can often be spotted running across floors, hiding in corners or appearing around windows and doors. While finding the occasional spider indoors is normal, there are several simple things homeowners can do to make their properties less inviting to these eight-legged visitors.

A range of methods that may help reduce the number of spiders entering the home. The advice includes keeping potential entry points sealed, reducing hiding places and using certain strong scents around doors and windows.

Why do spiders appear more often in autumn?

It can sometimes feel as though spiders suddenly appear everywhere once the weather starts to change. However, this does not necessarily mean there are suddenly more spiders living inside your home.

One reason they become more noticeable at this time of year is that many male spiders are actively searching for mates. This can lead to them moving around more frequently, making them easier for people to spot.

Changes in outdoor temperatures can also encourage spiders to seek sheltered areas. Homes provide warmth, protection and plenty of places to hide, so gaps around windows, doors and other parts of a property can become useful routes indoors.

For anyone who is particularly uncomfortable around spiders, taking a few preventative measures before autumn gets into full swing could make a noticeable difference.

Try using citrus scents around entry points

One of the more unusual suggestions highlighted by pest specialists is the use of strong smells as a possible deterrent.

Citrus scents, including lemon, lime and orange, are commonly suggested as a way of making certain areas less appealing to spiders. Homeowners could use a citrus-scented cleaning product or another suitable citrus fragrance around areas such as window sills and door frames.

Other strong scents sometimes recommended include peppermint, eucalyptus and tea tree oils. Vinegar is another option that is often mentioned, although its strong smell may make it less attractive for use throughout the home.

It is worth remembering that claims about natural scents repelling spiders are not all equally well established. These methods may be worth trying as a low-cost measure, but they should not be considered a guaranteed solution.

Pay attention to windows and doors

Windows and doors are obvious places to check when trying to reduce the number of insects and spiders entering your home.

During warmer evenings, open windows can provide an easy route indoors. If you prefer to sleep with windows open, checking that they have suitable screens or mesh can help reduce access for insects.

Doors should also be checked carefully. Even small gaps underneath doors or around frames can provide access for small creatures.

Sealing noticeable cracks and gaps around windows, doors and walls can therefore be a useful part of your autumn home maintenance routine.

Keep outdoor lighting under control

Outdoor lights can attract insects, and insects can in turn provide a food source for spiders.

If lights are left switched on near doors and windows throughout the night, they may attract flying insects towards the property. This can potentially create an area where spiders have access to an easy supply of prey.

Turning off unnecessary exterior lights when they are not needed may help reduce this activity around entrances.

Inside the home, closing curtains or blinds in the evening can also reduce the amount of light visible from outside.

Keep clutter to a minimum

Dark, undisturbed areas can provide attractive hiding places for spiders.

Cardboard boxes, piles of belongings, storage bags and other clutter can create sheltered spaces where spiders can remain unnoticed. Regularly sorting through cupboards, loft storage areas and garages can therefore help make these spaces less suitable for them.

This does not mean every room needs to be spotless. Simply reducing unnecessary piles and keeping storage areas organised can make it easier to spot webs and remove them when necessary.

Vacuum regularly

Regular cleaning is another straightforward way of managing spiders around the home.

Pay particular attention to corners, underneath furniture, behind cupboards and other areas that are rarely disturbed. Vacuuming can remove webs, egg sacs and spiders that have settled in these locations.

Window frames and skirting boards are also worth checking, especially if you have noticed spiders appearing in the same areas repeatedly.

A consistent cleaning routine may be more useful than waiting until you notice several spiders before taking action.

Remove webs when you find them

Spider webs can be an obvious sign that an area is being used.

Checking the corners of rooms, around windows and in less frequently disturbed spaces can help identify where spiders are active. Removing visible webs during routine cleaning can make these areas less suitable for continued activity.

It is also worth checking sheds, garages and other outdoor buildings, where spiders can find plenty of sheltered spaces.

Reduce available food

Spiders need food, so reducing the number of insects around the home may also help.

Dead flies and other insects found around window sills, doors and light fittings should be removed rather than left in place. Keeping food covered, cleaning up crumbs and maintaining general household hygiene can also help reduce insects that might attract spiders.

This approach focuses on the wider environment rather than simply trying to remove individual spiders.

What should you do if you find one?

If you spot a spider indoors, there is no need to panic.

For people who prefer not to kill spiders, a simple catch-and-release method can be used. Place a container carefully over the spider, slide a piece of stiff card underneath and carry it outside before releasing it.

This can be a straightforward alternative to reaching for an insecticide, particularly when dealing with an isolated spider.

What about conkers?

Conkers are another traditional autumn suggestion. An old belief claims that spiders dislike them and that placing conkers near windows can discourage spiders from entering.

There is limited evidence to show that conkers reliably repel spiders, so this should be viewed more as a seasonal household tradition than a proven pest-control technique.

That said, putting a few conkers on a windowsill can certainly add an autumnal touch to your home.

A few small changes can help

There is no guaranteed way to prevent every spider from entering a home, particularly during the autumn months. However, keeping windows and doors secure, sealing gaps, reducing clutter, vacuuming regularly and limiting insects around the property can all contribute to a less welcoming environment.

Strong scents such as citrus or peppermint may also be worth experimenting with if you are looking for a simple additional measure.

Most importantly, spiders are a normal part of the household environment and many species are harmless. If you do find one indoors, safely removing it is usually all that is required.

With a little preparation before autumn arrives, homeowners can make their properties cleaner, tidier and potentially less attractive to unwanted eight-legged visitors.

Source: Daily recored, August 20, 2026. The article attributes its prevention advice to pest specialists including Pest UK.