British households are gearing up for their spring cleans and tackling any hidden spider webs they haven’t gotten around to removing during winter. While peak spider season is typically autumn, March marks a critical time when spiders start re-emerging from their winter hideouts, searching for food and shelter.

Sophie Thorogood, a pest prevention expert at Pest-Stop, urged homeowners to start spider-proofing their homes now, before these critters make themselves comfortable in your living spaces. “March is the perfect time to begin taking preventive measures,” Sophie advised. “By acting early, you can ensure your home stays spider-free as their activity increases in the coming months.”

One of Sophie’s go-tos might be surprising as it’s nothing sophisticated: a simple citrus-scented cleaning product.

"Spiders are strongly deterred by the smell of citrus fruits," she explained.

"By cleaning your windowsills, skirting boards, and furniture with a lemon-scented product, you’re not only keeping your home fresh but also sending spiders the message that they should stay far away."

While using citrus cleaners is just one part of a broader strategy, Sophie also recommends sealing off any gaps around windows and doors, ensuring that spiders don’t have an easy entry point.

“Sealing the major entry points, like gaps under doors, can significantly reduce the chances of spiders making their way inside,” she said.

Alongside these preventive steps, Sophie suggests keeping your home clean, especially in corners and under furniture where spiders love to hide.

Regular vacuuming helps remove not only the spiders but also their eggs, preventing new generations from settling in.

For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, Sophie advocates for humane methods such as traps and vacuums.

“A vacuum with an LED light is perfect for spotting and capturing spiders in dark corners, and you can safely release them outside without any contact,” she added.

Finally, reducing outdoor lighting, particularly at night, will help decrease the number of insects that attract spiders to your home in the first place.