As autumn temperatures drop, sightings of house spiders are rising across the UK, with unsettling videos of the creatures shared widely online. Experts say this is not because spiders are seeking warmth indoors, as commonly believed, but because autumn is peak mating season, prompting males to leave their webs and roam in search of females, making them far more visible to homeowners.

Window specialists at SolarFrame note that a single female house spider can lay an egg sac containing around 70 young, so limiting how many males get indoors reduces the chance of spiders breeding within the home. They recommend closing windows by around 8pm as darkness falls, while experts at Fluid Glass advise removing food sources such as uncovered fruit and food waste, clearing clutter from garages and lofts, trimming back plants near exterior walls, and improving ventilation in damp areas like bathrooms and kitchens to make properties less appealing to spiders and their insect prey.