Spider season is nearly upon us and, being the nation’s most common phobia, many people will be shuddering at the thought of a home infested by the eight-legged critters.

Seeking food and warmth, spiders often venture into houses as summer turns into autumn.

So what tips and techniques actually work to keep the mini-beasts at bay?

Keep things clean and tidy

I know this sounds like a clever parenting technique designed to get you to clean your room, but it actually works!

Spiders, especially females carrying one of those nightmare-inducing egg sacks, love hiding in dark nooks and crannies, so keep things as neat as possible.

Batten down the hatches

Shut your windows and turn your outside lights off (you should be trying to save electricity anyway!)

While lights don’t necessarily draw spiders to your home, they do attract moths and other flying bugs which form the basis of a spider's diet.

Cut off the food source and spiders will find your home less palatable.

Four-legged spider assassins

Cats. If you don’t have one, get one.

The furry felines like nothing more than chasing prey, and spiders offer a small yet tasty treat at the end of the hunt.

Conkers

This is one you might have heard growing up and dismissed as an old wives tale.

Conkers contain a chemical which absolutely repulses spiders. Cut one open and make a few holes in it with a pin to maximise its effectiveness.

A few carefully placed conkers in the corners of your room, and a couple more on the windowsills, should keep them at bay.

Peppermint oil

Another plant product which seems to have a repelling effect on spiders.

A few sprays of it on your windowsills and in any spider-friendly areas should be enough to deter them.

Citrus fruits

While you may like the taste of lemons and limes (especially in an alcoholic fruit-based beverage with optional parasol), spiders absolutely cannot stand them.

Stock up on the sour fruits to keep spiders at bay. Plus it gives you an excuse to drink tequila.

The vacuum cleaner

Do I even need to explain this one? Fire it up, let rip on the little critters, feel guilty about killing a defenceless animal afterwards.