Every September without fail I start to dread evenings at home. Not because of the darker nights or the chaos with my youngest being back at college but because it’s spider season. If you live in the UK you’ll know exactly what I mean. One minute you’re sat happily watching TV and the next a massive spider runs across the living room floor like it owns the place and you’re left either perched on the sofa with your feet tucked up or sprinting out of the room to find someone else to deal with it. I hate them, I always have. Doesn’t matter that everyone tells me they’re harmless or they eat flies. I don’t care, I just don’t want them in my house!
Why spiders show up more in September?
Spiders are around all year but we notice them more in late summer and autumn for a couple of reasons. It’s their mating season. The males start wandering about looking for females, which means they’re suddenly out in the open instead of hiding quietly in corners. They want warmth. Once it starts getting chilly outside our cosy homes look like the perfect place to move into and that’s why it feels like they’re suddenly everywhere. They’re not new, they’ve just come out to play at the worst possible time.
How they sneak in!
I used to think they just appeared out of thin air but no they get in through tiny gaps. Around windows, doors, vents, under skirting boards, even where the pipes go through walls. If there’s a way in, they’ll find it.
Myths we’ve all heard!
People love to throw out facts about spiders when you admit you’re scared of them. Here are a few I hear all the time:
They’re more scared of you than you are of them!
Sorry but I don’t believe that for a second. If they were scared, why would they run straight across the carpet towards me? I’m not buying it!
You swallow loads of spiders in your sleep every year!
Thankfully this is a complete myth. Spiders aren’t interested in humans as food and don’t willingly crawl into our mouths.
If you put a house spider outside, it’ll die!
Partially true. Some species like the house spider are adapted to indoor life and may struggle outdoors, especially in cold weather. That said, many still survive and thrive in gardens and sheds.
It’s bad luck to kill a spider!
That’s just superstition. I still prefer not to squash them but if it’s me or them, I’m choosing me.
Why they freak me Out!
I know loads of people who can just scoop them up and carry on like nothing happened. I’m not one of those people. When I see a spider, I freeze, my heart races and I suddenly feel itchy all over like something’s crawling on me. Even after it’s gone I’ll avoid that room for a while and if it’s in the bedroom, I’m sleeping on the sofa! It sounds dramatic but I know loads of us are the same.
How to keep them out!
You can’t stop every single one, but you can cut down on the chances. Here’s what actually helps:
Seal up gaps. Around windows, doors, pipes, vents. A bit of sealant or draught excluder works wonders.
Vacuum often. Corners, under the sofa, behind furniture basically anywhere they might spin a web or hide.
Peppermint spray. Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and go around windowsills, doors, and skirting boards. They hate it and it makes the house smell nice.
Keep clutter down. Piles of clothes, boxes and bags are perfect hiding spots. The tidier it is the fewer places they’ve got to lurk.
Go easy on outdoor lights. Lights attract flies which attract spiders. Motion sensor lights are a decent compromise.
Try citrus. Lemon peel or citrus scented polish can put them off.
Should we learn to live with them?
The experts say yes. Spiders eat flies and other bugs so they’re actually useful and in the UK and they’re harmless. The biggest house spiders look scary but they won’t hurt you. I do get that they have their place in nature. I just wish their place wasn’t in my living room!
So if you’re like me and hate this time of year for the eight legged reason remember that it’s normal to see more spiders now, it’s just their season and it’s totally fine to hate them, even if everyone else tells you they’re harmless.
Are you scared of spiders too?
I wouldn´t say I´m scared of spiders but I don´t like to see them in my house. And I do sometimes :(. I learned a lot from this so thanks! I had heard they crawl in your mouth at night. How great to know that they don´t!! I was actually thinking of that the other day. I´m not sure how common it is in the UK, but here many houses have basements. A lot of them have finished portions; it doesn´t matter if you´re in a finished basement or not, spiders thrive down there being so close to the outdoors. Thanks again for the info- it was a good read :).
ReplyDeleteNo I am not scared of spiders. I am in the live and let live group of people.What I do hate are spider webs stretching across the path and between the bushes in the garden that I invariably walk into across my face. As a keen gardener it happens far too often.
ReplyDeleteJane
We have tons of spiders out here, too! Yesterday, I went to sit on my porch and noticed a big moth on the cushion. So I picked up the cushion to try to usher the moth away and that's when I noticed a spider was making a web under the cushion! Spiders don't freak me out as much as snakes do.
ReplyDeleteLiving on a lake we get more than our fair share of spiders.. and I hate them too! But this post reminds me so much of my gym visit yesterday. One of the ladies had a GIANT spider on her gym bag and the owner started freaking out. My mom and I couldn't help laughing at these two ladies trying to get the spider back outside without touching it or getting it on them-- I mean I feel the same way so I got it but it was hilarious to watch.
ReplyDeleteS is for September, and S is for spiders here too! I was thankful that the pest control company came the first weekend in September and de-webbed all around the house. We'll still have spiders, but they will be starting all over again with their webbing!
ReplyDeleteHere in Florida, it's the big palmetto bugs (roaches on steroids!)! I hate them. Not afraid of them, but I hate them. They must die, and die they do!! I can feel your dread!!
ReplyDeleteIt is SPIDER season here where I live and I can always tell is it about to start because my landscaping looks like I woke up to silk all over it. Then they creep in and I can see them dead around my doors. I used to be terrified over them because I had some about the size of half dollars coins (USA) and they just pop out of nowhere. That is what I do not like about them. My youngest son will downright almost kill someone when he sees them. It is quite funny but he really is petrified of them. I also feel like you....I can't sleep and and itch and worry all night if there is another one once I see one. Thanks for the peppermint oil tip!
ReplyDeleteA spidery tea party? That may be on tea party I'd like to skip.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
I love the cosy spider picture! If they looked like that I would invite them in lol.
ReplyDeleteSpiders don't bother me as much as they used to but I do tend to put them outside when I see them. There have already been some big ones this year.