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<\/p>\nIT'S that time of the year again where it feels like our homes are being invaded by unwanted eight-legged guests.<\/p>\n
September is mating season for spiders, and as a result the male critters have bulked up and are on the prowl. <\/p>\n
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Not to alarm any arachnophobes, but according to arachnologist Dr Chris Terrell-Nield, we have around 12 spiders in our house at any one time.<\/p>\n
For most of the year they avoid detection thanks to their small size and dormant nature – but come autumn they're more noticeable.<\/p>\n
Nottingham Trent University lecturer Dr Chris says: \u201cBy this time of year, spiders are fully grown and mature, meaning their focus is on creating the next generation.<\/p>\n
\u201cUp until now they will largely remain sedentary in hidden spots in the house. <\/p>\n
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\u201cIt's the large male spiders that you see sprinting across your hearth or living room as they look for a mate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat scares most people is the unpredictability of the movement. <\/p>\n
"They can be there one second and gone the next, leaving you wondering where the unwanted guest is in your house.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you're keen to banish the critters from your home, Dr Chris has a few top tips – and reveals the common mistakes we make that lets them to sneak in. <\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Spiders have a pretty good sense of smell and are known to react to certain scents.<\/p>\n If you're leaving your doors and windows open in warm weather, Dr Chris recommends investing in some bunches of lavender – and not to make your home look pretty.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds a bit like an old wives tale, but putting lavender by openings can deter spiders from coming in,\u201d he explains. <\/p>\n \u201cThey're also not keen on citrus scents, eucalyptus or peppermint, so spraying those around the house will also encourage them to go elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n Some spider enthusiasts claim using Vick's VapoRub can also help keep the critters away, as it contains that menthol scent they don't like.<\/p>\n One of the reasons spiders love coming into our homes is because we provide a steady stream of food sources for them.<\/p>\n While they won't eat things we find tasty, leaving food out and about attracts things they do like snacking on. <\/p>\n Fruit bowls draw flies hoping to feast on the sugars, while drain flies can be attracted to food being washed down the sink.<\/p>\n \u201cLeaving fruit and other food out on the counter will attract flies and other insects, which in turn bring in spiders,\u201d Dr Chris explains. <\/p>\n \u201cIt gives the arachnids a sustainable diet, so putting food away will limit their food source and make your home less spider-friendly."<\/p>\n Dr Chris says closing your curtains as soon as it starts to go dark is a good way to stop insects that spiders feed on coming into your home. <\/p>\n \u201cMoths and flies will be attracted by lights in your house, and that will draw the spiders in after them because they'll want dinner," he says.<\/p>\n The other bonus is less biting insects will be flying in too, so you can avoid being nibbled on a night. <\/p>\n If you've been looking for an excuse to get a pet, here's a perfect one.<\/p>\n Spiders are primarily sedentary creatures, so anything that would cause chaos in their home is likely to encourage them to move out. <\/p>\n \u201cCats can be a good deterrent as they will chase anything that moves,\u201d Dr Chris says.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever house spiders can bite, so a few nasty nips to somewhere sensitive like their nose might put them off. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd while they might stop spiders thinking your house is an ideal home, they may bring in other pests like mice.\u201d<\/p>\n Dogs may also put the creepy crawlies off as they bounce about the house. <\/p>\n Plus, if they love chasing a ball, that means your furniture may be moved which is likely to disturb any hidden spiders. <\/p>\n If you're not bothered by spiders living in your shed or garage, making one of these more hospitable is a great way to lure them out of your house. <\/p>\n Leaving their webs undisturbed will tell them it's a safe place to live \u2013 unlike your house. <\/p>\n Another option is to make somewhere in the garden appealing as well. <\/p>\n Dr Chris suggests: \u201cTry buying an insect home, they're also great for spiders. Mine quickly became a spider hotel. <\/p>\n \u201cNot only are there lots of places to spin their webs, it will also provide them with a constant supply of food.\u201d<\/p>\n Most of us are familiar with the idea of spring-cleaning, but Dr Chris reckons an autumn one might be more useful. <\/p>\n \u201cSpiders don't like being disturbed, so if you're hoovering their cobwebs from the corner of the room, they won't feel very comfortable,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n \u201cCleaning also removes dust and other debris, which means their food sources are less likely to be in your house. This all makes it less spider friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n Regularly cleaning your home will make spiders more likely to move out, especially if you're constantly removing their webs. <\/p>\n If you manage to catch a spider, try to release them across the road or down the street from your home (or by your deterrent!) to avoid them making a return.<\/p>\n Dr Chris says: "The best method is to trap them under an inverted tumbler, slide a piece of card underneath it, invert, carry outside and release. <\/p>\n \u201cThis should be some way away from the house, otherwise, because they are house spiders, they may simply walk back in again.\u201d<\/p>\n After the recent heatwave few of us will have given a thought to turning on the heating, but temperatures are likely to plummet in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n When looking for a home for the winter, spiders like places that are warm and dry where they won't be undisturbed, Dr Chris says. <\/p>\n If you can stand it, delaying turning on your heating will help deter arachnids from settling in. <\/p>\n Dr Chris says: \u201cIf you're not turning on your heating, you're probably keeping spiders out of your house, too. <\/p>\n \u201cHouse spiders are after somewhere warm to nest and settle down. So if it's a cold environment, they'll be less inclined to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/VP-COMP-BACHERLORETTE-v2-1.jpg\")
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Clever scents<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/NINTCHDBPICT000844408830.jpg\")
6<\/span>Ditch your fruit bowl<\/h2>\n
Close your curtains<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/shutterstock-id-600731996-844409788.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOwn a pet<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/dajbmr-cat-versus-spider-white-844409679.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCreate a deterrent<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/web-abandoned-jasper-cave-vertical-844408151.jpg\")
<\/p>\nClean up<\/h2>\n
Delay turning on your heating<\/h2>\n
READ MORE SUN STORIES<\/span><\/h2>\n
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![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/spider-expert-dr-chris-terrell-844412123.jpg\")