Banish spiders during dreaded mating season using tricks they hate

Spiders started to mate in early September and will continue until mid-October - with experts warning that the average household could have 40 spiders hiding in it

As the chill sets in, Brits are enduring darker mornings and the return of the dreaded 'spider season'.

But fear not, as UK homes can now arm themselves with expert advice to keep those eight-legged intruders at bay this autumn. The mating season for spiders kicked off in early September and lasts until mid-October, prompting them to seek the warmth of our abodes. On average, a home might play host to about 40 spiders, a number that can soar in older properties.

With nearly one in four Brits suffering from arachnophobia, specialists have concocted a foolproof plan to keep your living spaces spider-free. The pros have divulged their best tips for ensuring spiders don't make themselves at home.

Keep your space clean

Tasha Lewis, the brains behind Living Things, points out that spiders come indoors looking for grub and a cosy spot, and "following a cleaning routine helps to keep bugs and insects out.", reports the Express.

Whether it's inside or outside your house, maintaining cleanliness is key to deterring spiders. Nicola, also known as Essex House Dolly, a guru in tidiness, advises: "Keeping on top of your dusting, especially cleaning behind sofas, TV units and corners of your room will help deter spiders from spinning their webs."

Use chalk to deter any creepy-crawlies

A resident in the UK has shared a simple chalk hack that could keep spiders at bay as we head into spider season. While many traditional methods don't quite cut it, like the old wives' tale about conkers, Essex House Dolly suggests trying something different.

"There is the old wives tale of placing conkers in the corners of your rooms, but personally, I never found this effective," she admits. Instead, she recommends chalk, "On the other hand, a tip I recently learnt was using a piece of chalk and drawing a line on a surface. Spiders do not like the feel of chalk."

This technique can be applied both inside and around the perimeter of your home to discourage our eight-legged friends from setting up shop.

Use essential oils

When it comes to essential oils, they're more than just a pretty scent, they can also act as a barrier against spiders. Dabbing a blend of cedarwood, tea tree, citrus, peppermint, lavender, or eucalyptus onto areas where spiders frequent could help turn them away. Essex House Dolly explains: "You can make natural deterrents using citrus smells, as well as peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus to simply spray in these areas."

It's a great way to keep spiders out while giving your home a refreshingly clean fragrance - just remember to dilute the oils when applying to pavement, as they can cause stubborn stains or damage certain materials. Meanwhile, gardening experts from GardeningExpress.co.uk have offered their advice on how to keep your garden spider-free.

Reduce lighting

They suggest reducing lighting as spiders are drawn to light due to it attracting insects, their food source. By minimising or reducing garden lighting, especially near doors and windows, you can decrease the spider's food supply and discourage them from settling in. They also recommend checking the exterior of your home and garden sheds for any cracks, gaps, or holes.

Sealing these with silicone sealant, a cheap and effective material, and installing fine mesh over vents, windows, and door gaps can prevent spiders from entering these structures.