By Claire Schofield,Sarah Tulloch

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Motorists across the UK are being advised to place lemon peels in their vehicles this September and October to ward off spiders. Spider season has officially begun in the UK, with the eight-legged critters seeking indoor shelter and a mate. The season typically starts in early September and lasts until mid-October or early November, after which spiders retreat into hiding for the winter. While spiders are most commonly seen scurrying around your home, your car can also provide a cosy refuge for them, so it’s worth implementing some deterrents to keep them at bay. Car expert Lee Caroline, from car scrap company LJC Autospares, cautions that drivers who are distracted by a spider in their vehicle while driving could face a fine of up to £1,000 for driving without due care and attention. This fine could increase to £2,500 for careless driving if the distraction results in an accident, with drivers also risking up to nine penalty points on their licence. To avoid this issue, motorists are encouraged to utilise natural deterrents in their cars during spider season this September and October, including scattering lemon peels around their vehicle. Spiders possess an extremely acute sense of smell and detest powerful scents, particularly citrus fruits such as lemon. Motorists can exploit this by positioning lemon peel around their vehicle, including on the dashboard or floor, or creating a DIY spray from the peel to mist throughout the car, reports the Express . Motor specialists recommend steeping lemon peel in boiling water alongside several drops of essential oil, leaving this mixture overnight before decanting into a spray bottle. Should you lack lemons, orange, grapefruit or lime peel work equally well, and you can incorporate other pungent fragrances that spiders despise, including tea tree, peppermint or cinnamon. Lee explains: “Spiders are put off by certain potent scents, so introducing aromas like citrus, peppermint, and tea tree into your car’s interior through an air freshener may help deter them. Another scent spiders hate is cinnamon, so placing cinnamon-scented air fresheners or regular sticks in your car can also be an effective solution. “Keeping your car clean both inside and out is important for deterring spiders and getting rid of the insects they feed on, such as flies. Spiders will naturally gravitate towards dark, sheltered spaces, which include any discarded bags, wrappers and cartons you might have lying around. “Leftover food can attract insects, which in turn attract spiders. When cleaning the interior, white vinegar can serve as an effective cleaner and repellent.” Motor experts also suggest giving your car’s air vents a thorough clean and inspecting window seals, as these can act as gateways for eight-legged invaders. Lee explains: “It’s easy to forget, but a car’s air vents can be a major spider hotspot and should be cleaned regularly. The rubber seals around windows and boots might also be a potential weak point for spiders to get in, particularly if they’re perished or broken. “The good news is that these seals are relatively inexpensive to replace. Also, make sure your windows are fully rolled up, as even the smallest gap is enough to invite spiders inside. “If a spider does appear, the most important thing is to stay calm and keep both hands on the wheel to maintain control of the vehicle. If it’s safe to do so, find a place to pull over and remove the spider without putting yourself or others at risk.”