As the summer draws to a close and the temperatures begin to drop, UK households will  witness an increase of spiders and specifically daddy long legs within their homes. Spiders typically start to come indoors towards the end of August.

Spider mating season begins in September and sees male spiders coming into homes on the hunt for females.

But for those with arachnophobia, this is not ideal, especially as we will all want to be spending more time indoors ourselves.

With this in mind, experts at Wayfair UK have shared their top tips for minimising the presence of daddy long legs in your home and garden this autumn.

One includes using scents as a way to deter the creatures for good. “Essential oils are a fantastic way to keep insects like daddy long legs away, thanks to their strong, natural scents,” they said. 

“Peppermint, lavender, and tea tree oils make excellent and affordable repellents to help keep your home daddy long legs-free.

“To make your own natural spray, just add 10-20 drops of any of these oils to a spray bottle filled with water. Then, spray it around your home, focusing on doors, windows, dark corners, and areas where you’ve spotted daddy long legs before – it’s an easy, budget-friendly solution.”

If this isn’t enough to keep the eight-legged creatures at bay they shared other tricks you can try.

Pay attention to corners

Keeping your home clean during “daddy long legs season” can help reduce the chances of these visitors popping up unexpectedly this autumn, they said. By dusting, cleaning, and vacuuming regularly, you’ll be able to keep an eye on the spots where they love to hide. 

Make sure to focus on areas like behind furniture and in the corners of rooms, as these are favourite hangouts for daddy long legs.

Close all windows and doors

According to experts, one of the simplest ways to keep daddy long legs out of your home is by making it harder for them to get in. As the weather cools, they’re drawn to warm, bright spaces, making our homes the perfect spot for them. 

To reduce the chances of them making an unexpected stay, try limiting their entry points. Keeping windows and doors closed, especially at night, not only helps keep your home cosy but also stops those daddy long legs from sneaking in.

Dim your lights 

Spiders are drawn to light, which is why they often head for our homes. To keep them at bay, try reducing the amount of light inside. Dimming your lights, using smaller lamps instead of the main light, or keeping curtains and blinds closed can help stop them from being attracted to your home.