We might be weeks from Halloween but households are noticing the steady arrival of spiders in their homes, as mating season encourages the eight-legged critters to go on the move.

Between the middle of September and the end of October thousands of creatures will invade homes and offices in search of a mate.

But a number of household herbs and plants could become unlikely allies this autumn in keeping them out of your home and tackling the pest-y problem.

Company GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said now is the time that arachnids will begin making their way from gardens and into houses and outbuildings.

A spokesman for the company explained: "September sees the beginning of the spider mating season, so people will find more spiders in their home than usual. It is usually the male species that they see out and about looking for partners to mate with.

"There are some useful household items such as herbs which are traditionally used for cooking which also repel spiders, so people may already have these at home and available to begin to defend their home from these unwanted creepy-crawlies.”

If you're keen to keep spiders in the wild this September, reaching for some of the items below could help:

1. Basil

Basil is a popular herb used in the kitchen for a range of dishes, but insects don’t like it. Any variety of basil can be successful at keeping spiders away so don't be afraid to dot the plants in your kitchen, living room or even outside on your patio.

Its strong aromatic properties will also discourage a number of other insects including ants, mosquitoes and houseflies making it a popular choice for those keen to make homes insect-free!

2. Mint

Mint is another natural insect repellent. Widely used in the kitchen for cooking, leaving a mint plant in your home or mint leaves by the doors should discourage the arrival of spiders indoors. But if you're really becoming over-run this autumn any pepermint scent will also do the trick, such as a mint-smelling essential oil sprayed around the home or in problematic areas.

3. Cinnamon

Cinnamon and cloves are among the spices and scents that spiders detest. Again, rather like the smell of peppermint, spraying a cinnamon-infused essential oil or lighting something like a cinnamon scented candle might be useful in discouraging spiders from dropping in. Sprinkling the spice or oil on items like pine cones and leaving them by doorways and windows is also said to be a useful way of letting cinnamon work its magic.

4. Onions

The strong smell of onion - and others say garlic - are said to be relatively successful natural spider repellents. Unlike mint or cinnamon though, these are often less popular methods with households who would rather their homes didn't carry the eye-watering smell of onion or garlic clove. But should your house be overrun with spiders then leaving the vegetable or garlic cloves on windowsills or doorways could help your home remain spider free during mating season. While anyone who is particularly green-fingered can discourage them from coming inside in the first place by growing onions in the garden.

5. Lavender

It's another scent which spiders detest and with it being more pleasant than the smell of onion or garlic - it's often more popular with households too! Anything lavender-scented from bushes and plants to scented candles and essential oils will discourage the arrival of spiders during mating season. Even lavender scented cleaning sprays and detergents are said to have some success in discouraging critters when used liberally around the house.

6. Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums have flowers that spiders don't like and so by either growing them or buying some to display on shelves and windowsills can be a win win when it comes to eradicating spiders.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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