Spider season has arrived early this year but here are some tips for keeping the eight-legged critters out of your home.
Experts at the Bristol Zoological Society told the Liverpool Echo that the weather was to blame for the early arrival of the creepy crawlies and that the mating season – which usually begins in September - had already started. That means the females are coming inside.
The females, which are larger than the males and can often carry up to 100 offspring at once, search houses for somewhere warm to lay eggs.
The best way to keep them out is to make sure they cannot find a way inside or deter them in other ways.
But, the experts added, don't be mean to them - spiders play an important role in UK nature. They are pest controllers helping reduce the population of insects like wasps and flies.
Seal openings
Spiders will exploit little cracks and gaps which can open up around your doors and windows, so fill them in where you can. You can also spray pesticide in these areas to deter creepy crawlies.
Spritz the smells
Spiders hate smells like citrus, vinegar, eucalyptus and peppermint. Leave peel from lemons and oranges where spiders might like to enter as a deterrent. The peel will need replacing every few days as the smell won't stay.
Get the hoover out
Not to suck them up, but to keep carpets clean. Leftover food can attract insects and they in turn are a calling card for spiders.
Invest in cedar wood
Buy a few blocks of cedar wood and place them by doors, windows and any other gaps that spiders may come into the house. According to experts they don't like the smell.
