It’s spider season in the UK – and motoring experts have revealed how decluttering could be key to keeping the arachnids out of your car.

Between September and mid-October, spiders are highly active as they go in search of a mate while also seeking warmth as temperatures begin to dip.

That means you’re more likely to see the eight-legged critters scuttling into homes, garages, sheds, and also vehicles.

But there are many humane methods drivers can deploy to deter the creatures from setting up home in cars and vans.

And Graham Conway, of UK lease firm Select Car Leasing, says ensuring your car’s interior is neat and tidy can be a quick win when it comes to keeping creepy crawlies at bay.

He said: “If you suffer from arachnophobia – aka, a fear of spiders – don’t be afraid of cleaning your vehicle’s interior regularly during spider season.

“Spiders will naturally gravitate towards dark, sheltered spaces – which includes any discarded bags, wrappers and cartons you might have lying around. By having a messy cabin you’re rolling out the red carpet for arachnids.

“Declutter the interior of stray items of clothing, too, including spare pairs of shoes and trainers, as that’s another obvious place for spiders to potentially lurk.

“You should also clean your car’s air vents regularly because this is another spider hotspot.”

Here the Select Car Leasing expert outlines some other ways motorists could persuade spiders to seek shelter elsewhere:

Make a scent spray

Mr Conway said: “You could try creating your own scent spray using ingredients that are said to repel spiders.

“Vinegar, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, lemon oil and cedarwood are all readily available and are fantastic for putting-off spiders from setting up home in your car.

“Simply fill a bottle with a mix of the scent and some water, then spray in the areas you want to keep spider free.

“It’s worth experimenting with the different aromas, and even combining a few to find a recipe that actually works.”

Check window and boot seals

“If you’re finding more spiders in your car than you’re comfortable with, it’s worth investigating whether there’s an obvious entry point into your vehicle that you’re missing.

“The rubber seals around windows and boots might be a potential weak point, particularly if they’re perished or broken. The good news here is that rubber seals are relatively inexpensive to replace.

“It might sound obvious but make sure your windows are fully rolled-up, too, as even the smallest gap is enough to invite spiders inside.”

Lemons and oranges

“It’s believed that most house spiders detest the smell of citrus fruit, such as lemons, oranges or limes.

“You might try rubbing some lemon or orange peel around your window and door frames as a means to repel spiders and you could also leave the peel in the car overnight.”

Remove any webs

“Take away a spider’s opportunity to catch prey and feed and you might motivate them to move to a different location – i.e. one that’s not your car!

“Don’t let cobwebs linger and remove them as swiftly as you can.

“You’re highly likely to see cobwebs around wing mirrors at this time of year while spiders are often fond of roof and bike racks.

“If your roof rack isn’t currently in use, you might want to consider removing it entirely at this time of year if you’re concerned about spiders.”

And try not to panic if you do encounter a spider

“While spiders can give you a fright, it’s important to remember that they’re almost universally harmless.

“And if you encounter one while driving, it’s crucial you keep a level head and simply pull over when it’s safe to do so, rather than panicking and potentially causing a risk to other road users.

“If a spider encounter leads to a complete head loss behind the wheel, you could end up with a prosecution for careless driving – which means a fine of up to £2,500, nine points on your licence and even worse if anyone is injured as a result.”