Spiders, cockroaches and mice could be crawling into your bedroom without you realising, and one everyday habit might be to blame. It turns out that something many people do without thinking is quietly creating the perfect environment for pests. Once they arrive, they’re likely to stick around, and even breed. Councils across the UK recorded hundreds of thousands of pest call-outs last year, with rodents making up the majority. That’s roughly one visit every two minutes.
As the weather cools in September, experts say pest activity spikes. Rats and mice head indoors to seek warmth and food, and cockroach numbers rise too. If these pests find a consistent food source, they won’t just visit, they’ll settle in. The British Pest Control Association has warned that spiders are also on the move. September marks the start of the mating season for house spiders, meaning people are more likely to see them running across their floors and walls as they search for mates.
When rodents and insects find their way into bedrooms, spiders often follow. They go where the prey is.
And without knowing it, people may be laying out the perfect buffet for all of them.
Experts at Bed Sava, a UK-based bedding retailer, say the problem often starts with a habit that seems harmless.
“What seems innocent at first is actually setting off two powerful lures for pests,” they said.
A recent UK survey found that 48% of people have eaten in bed, and 1 in 5 do so regularly. For 8%, it’s a daily routine.
But those crumbs don’t vanish, they sink into sheets and mattresses, coat headboards and floors, and release sugary smells that draw in pests.
“Crumbs and sugary films settle into seams, divans and headboard joints (classic foraging points for roaches and mice), while a half-finished drink adds moisture, the one ingredient that keeps insects coming back,” experts at Bed Sava explained.
Once these pests arrive, they breed in quiet spaces close to your pillow. And spiders are never far behind.
To prevent infestations, experts recommend stopping food consumption in the bedroom entirely.
Clear all plates, cups and wrappers before bedtime, and keep the area free of snacks.
It’s also important to deep clean hidden areas like under the bed, mattress seams and skirting boards, as well as wash bedding regularly at 60C.
Other tips include sealing up small gaps around pipes or floorboards, fitting door sweeps, and storing food in airtight containers.