SPIDER mating season has arrived, with the creepy crawlies slowly invading the homes of millions – but luckily, there’s an easy way to prevent it.
Spiders creep into our homes from mid-August until early October when the arthropods look for a mate before seeking shelter for the winter season ahead.
While the females usually stay put in a sheltered spot, the male creepy crawlies roam around indoors in a desperate attempt to find a mating buddy.
If you’re amongst those who are petrified by the air-breathing arthropods, fear not, as an expert has come to rescue with a simple trick to keep them at bay.
Whether they come from the Mediterranean or North Africa, what all spiders have in common is that they cannot stand the smell of citrus, My London reported.
That’s right, turns out the secret to a spider-free home is the zesty fruit, which you can find at most supermarkets for around 30p.
What’s more, there’s no need to waste it too, as the peel alone is enough to send them running.
According to Expert Home Tips, you will simply need to rub citrus peel over your windowsills, bookshelves, and anywhere else you tend to find spiders.
Not only is this thought to keep the crawlies away, the purse-friendly remedy will also make your home smell fabulous and clean – a win-win.
The cheap fruit can also be a great way to banish spiders out of basements and garages as following the same method should theoretically have the same outcome.
Although there are plenty of hacks to keep the arthropods out of your home, this cheap hack is not harmful to our eight-legged pals.
If you don’t fancy rubbing citrus peel, why not try Aldi’s new spider catcher gadget?
The Zero In Spider Catcher is £8.99 and available for a limited time only during the Garden Tidy Specialbuys event on Thursday 22 August.
The spider catcher ensure little creatures, including spiders and crane flies, are moved safely from ceilings and corners.
It reaches up to two meres, and has gentle bristles which open and enclose around the creature without harming them.
Entomologist and self-proclaimed ”bugman” Richard Jones told Radio 1 Newsbeat that despite what people may assume, spiders don’t deliberately crawl into our mouths when you’re sleeping at night.
According to the guru, spiders don’t lay eggs in humans and in the UK, the majority of spiders couldn’t bite you even if they wanted to.
He reassured: “Most of them just cannot get their jaws open wide enough to bite a human finger.”
But while the internet is full of different tips and tricks for a spider-free home, keeping them at bay sometimes can’t be helped. S
So, if you feel like all of your attempts have been futile, it might be worth settling for the glass and paper technique send them out.
This comes after an urgent warning was issued to homeowners as the UK is swarming with thousands of spiders the size of rats.
Research has revealed that the Fen Raft Spider, a large arachnid with a leg span as wide as a man’s hand, is surging in population.
The arthropod, once on the brink of extinction, has made a comeback thanks to a successful breeding program.
Their webs can stretch up to a staggering 25cm, making them the size of your cheeky takeaway pizza.
Tim Strudwick, site manager at the RSPB Mid Yare nature reserves, couldn’t be prouder of the spider’s resurgence.
He said: “The Fen Raft Spider is one of the UK’s rarest invertebrates and we are proud of the role our reserves and teams have played in its recovery.
“These spiders have an important role in maintaining the rich aquatic diversity found in the grazing ditches on our reserves.”
