Households across the UK are being urged to shut their windows overnight and rub lemons on their windowsills.

Spider season is officially underway, with reports of some giant huntsman spiders already appearing inside living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens as well as in sheds and garages this past week.

Now, spider experts are urging arachnophobic households (isn’t that all of us?) to take steps to keep eight-legged invaders out of homes during this week’s spell of warm weather. Spiders usually start heading indoors, especially after a period of warm weather, in August and September, in search of a mate for winter.

This year, false widow spiders, notably the UK’s most venomous spider, are also heading into houses. While not dangerous, their bites can cause swelling and infection if left untreated.

Spiders will find their way into your home through open windows, or unsealed, cracked window frames.

Those afraid of spiders are being urged to keep windows closed overnight where possible, and seal up cracks around windowframes.

Go Assist appliance repairs has some household tips on reducing the number of spiders in your home. They said: “Spiders must get into our homes somehow, so sealing any cracks or openings around windows and doors will reduce the chances of an initial invasion. This will reduce spiders’ home-making opportunities. Reducing the number of cracks and crevices will limit the places in which spiders are likely to set up home – although some, like daddy long legs spiders, don’t use retreats of this kind”

Once you’re sure you’ve sealed up any obvious signs of arachnid ingress, you can then set about the next part of spider proofing: lemon peel.

Rubbing lemon peel across windowsills and floorboards (or lime or orange peel) can repel spiders, which taste with their feet and hate citrus.

Go Assist adds: “Lemon and orange peels are a natural deterrent for spiders. Rub floorboards and windowsills with the peels once a day so the smell lingers. You can also have a bowl of citrus fruits in your kitchen to keep spiders out of this area. Be aware that this could strip the paint off your windowsill, so if you do try this, test it in an inconspicuous area first. You could also try placing citrus peels near your windowsills and doorways to discourage spiders.”