Households are being urged to clean their windows this week due to the threat of an invasion of venomous ‘killer spiders’.
While spiders are largely harmless in the UK, false widow spiders can cause pain, irritation and even infection from their bites. According to a leading spider expert, false widows are expected to be on the increase this year, as the so called ‘spider season’ begins.
This time of year, from August until roughly the end of September, spiders start appearing in our houses in earnest, creeping out from the depths of various nooks and crannies hoping to procreate and bring more spiders into the world. Now, Dr Tom Elwood, a UK ‘arachnologist’, says the key to keeping spiders at bay this year is actually cleaning windows.
According to him, dirty windows offer ‘the perfect conditions’ to attract spiders.
He said: “Spider season kicks off in August, and dirty windows offer the perfect conditions — warmth, insects and shelter. If your window sills are grimy or covered in cobwebs, you could be welcoming spiders inside.”
The noble false widow (Steatoda nobilis) is Britain’s most venomous spider and often blamed for a growing number of bite incidents. While most bites are mild, some can cause swelling, pain, and in rare cases, serious infection.
These spiders are often found in window corners, sheds, garages and undisturbed indoor spaces. They thrive in warm environments and are now widespread in parts of southern England.
Although deaths are extremely rare, a 60-year-old woman in Hampshire died in 2014 after developing sepsis believed to be linked to a false widow bite — making it one of the UK’s only confirmed fatal cases.
Dr Elwood continues: “Spider season begins in early August as temperatures rise and male spiders start moving indoors in search of mates. Sightings tend to peak in September and October, but the start of the season is when prevention matters most.
“The spiders don’t wait until autumn. They’re already active now — and if you’ve got poorly maintained windows, you’re giving them easy access.”
The team at Quote My Wall, specialists in decorative window stickers, stress that proper window cleaning is essential — not just for aesthetics, but for function.
They said: “With false widows active now and spider season officially underway, cleaning your windows could be the easiest way to protect your home — and avoid a fright.
“Whether you’re applying a decorative sticker or just keeping your panes pristine, a simple vinegar solution and some regular care could make all the difference.”
They suggest households should mix 250ml of white vinegar with 250ml of warm water in a spray bottle, and then use this to treat windowpanes, windowframes and windowsills after cleaning and sealing windows.
