Households urged to 'buy chalk' as giant spiders invade houses

As the UK transitions from a summer of fluctuating weather conditions, we find ourselves in the dreaded spider season.

The eight-legged creatures typically start to invade homes from mid to late August, with sightings peaking in September. Those with arachnophobia may find this time particularly challenging as spiders are often spotted crawling along floors, skirting boards and walls.

Interestingly, if you spot a spider on the move, it's likely to be a male. This is because male spiders tend to roam while females stay put. It's during their search for a female mate that male spiders become more noticeable, leaving their usual hiding spots within walls, cellars and dark cupboards for some no-strings fun with a fellow arachnid.

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Following an unusually wet summer, households across the nation have reported an increase in indoor spider sightings. With millions of Brits harbouring a fear of spiders, many are desperately seeking ways to deter these unwelcome guests, reports the Express.

How to keep spiders out of your home

One effective method is using strong-smelling plants such as lavender, mint, eucalyptus and citronella. Spiders are known to dislike these scents.

If you have any of these plants growing in your garden, simply cut some off and sprinkle it around key spider entry points like windowsills, doors and dark skirting boards.

• Mint: Simply purchase fresh mint from your local supermarket for as little as 65p and scatter it along windowsills and in the dark corners of skirting boards, where spiders are known to hide.
• Lemon/Citronella: Sprays made from these ingredients can be bought for around £5 to £7.
• Removing webs: Regularly removing a web will make spiders realise that it's not a good place to spin a web and they will eventually relocate.
• Chalk: Spiders taste with their feet and they don't like the taste of chalk. Drawing a line of chalk around your bed, along window frames and near doorways will create a spider-free zone which they will not want to cross.

Should you kill spiders?

Giant house spiders can bite, but it's unlikely that they would ever get close enough to you to do so because they don't like humans and will do everything they can to avoid you.

However, you should refrain from killing spiders. They are extremely beneficial to a household, trapping and eliminating flies, ants and other pests from taking over your home.

Apart from traditional methods like using a glass and a piece of paper, you can use a 'spider grabber'. These extendable arms have light brushes which grab and contain a spider at arm's length.

You can then simply release it safely out of the window without causing it any harm, and you can purchase them from Amazon for around £8-10.