Spider season is upon us once again and the heat of summer cools down, they could be making their way into your home. The eight-legged creepy crawlies look for a mate at this time of year and a warm, dry house makes for the perfect setting.
Spiders usually come out when the first leaves begin to fall, typically from the beginning of September to mid-October. But while female spiders are known to stay in one place for all their lives and often establish themselves in our homes, males are always roaming, the Mirror reports.
It means there is an inevitable influx of arachnids during mating season, with cooler conditions and rainfall encouraging them to come inside. Ecologist Dr Chris Terrell-Nield of Nottingham Trent University said house spiders can be up to 10cm long and can be as big as a hand.
The expert told the Mirror: "The spider that is coming into houses at the moment is the house spider and it is one of Britain's biggest spiders. The males are up to 10cm across the leg span and can be the size of your hand - that is the top range but it can be two-thirds of that size.
"The size is down to how much they have eaten. They are not dangerous but they can give you a nip. They have biting fangs. These things have been breeding and started their life span in the spring."
He added: "This time of the year, August and September, the male spiders have the urge to mate and start wandering and looking for females. When they find them they mate and she lays eggs and the male usually dies."
How to keep spiders out of your home
Spiders will usually find a way in but if you want to try and keep them out, you should ensure that your house is clean and avoid clutter. They love dark and cluttered places - so check nooks and crannies and behind the sofa and furniture.
You can also help by ensuring there aren’t any leaky pipes or openings. Other suggestions include trying strong smells such as citrus, eucalyptus, and peppermint.
