For the last few weeks, male spiders have been scurrying around looking for a mate before the next generation arrives in the spring. This brings them into closer proximity to us, which can be a little unsettling for some.

During the spring and summer months, spiders have an important role in keeping insect numbers under control, particularly flies, aphids, woodlice, and mosquitoes. 

Once the autumn breeding season is over, many of the male spiders die (or are eaten by the female!) but, for those that remain and for the females, their next job is to find a quiet sheltered spot to spend the winter. 

It’s important to note that they’re not all in your home. In fact, the majority will be outdoors taking shelter under logs, stones, and leaves. Their bodies go into a low activity state, or torpor, to help them during very cold periods.

One of my favourite spiders is the woodlouse spider (Dysdera crocata). As the name suggests, they predate woodlice which are abundant in our garden amongst the log piles and fallen leaves. The spiders overwinter beneath our hedges and under stones, although we have seen the occasional one in the house.

Cellar spider (Pholcus phalangioides)

These gangly spiders usually spend most of their time indoors throughout the year. Also known as daddy long-legs spiders, they often make webs in corners. 

In our house, we tend to refer to crane flies as daddy long-legs too which can be confusing, although the number of legs and the fact that they fly does help to tell them apart!

Cellar spiders spend most of the day sat very still, but if disturbed they have two very different reactions. Some curl up into a ball and try to be invisible, but others vibrate manically in an attempt to frighten you off. 

Zebra spider (Solticus scenicus)

The zebra spider is a common jumping spider that stalks and leaps on its prey - it can jump up to 10cm, over 14 times its own body length! 

During the spring and summer, it can be found on walls, rocks and tree trunks in the sun. They occasionally venture into houses during the autumn. Males attract females through a complex courtship dance, moving around the females with their legs waving in the air. 

Noble false widow spider (Steatoda nobilis)

The name of the spider might sound a bit spooky but is unlikely to cause any Halloween horrors. If you do see one, it’s most likely to be in outbuildings, sheds or garages, rather than scuttling across your carpet.

Noble false widows aren’t native to the UK, but have been here for over a century, slowly spreading northwards from the south coast. They’re dark brown with cream markings on their abdomen and make messy webs in corners, like a house spider. Although they can bite, they are not aggressive and are only likely to do so if roughly handled. In the rare, confirmed cases where a noble false widow has bitten someone, the bite has been compared to a wasp sting.