After last month’s warning of a possible invasion from Britain’s most venomous spider, it’s time to take precautions in a bid to keep false widow spiders at bay this autumn.

With milder temperatures in September and October pest control experts warned false widows could creep their way into homes across London and north Kent.

So to keep News Shopper readers safe, we’ve compiled our favourite tips to fend off the creepy crawlies.

News Shopper: A false widow spider

1. Make your home minty fresh

What do those eight-legged fiends hate most of all? Peppermint.

Use a spray bottle and some peppermint essential oil to lightly dust your rooms with freshness and ward off the false widows.

2. Stock up on vinegar

As well as one of the nation’s favourite condiments, vinegar is also useful as another cheap and easy spider repellent.

Much like the peppermint option, fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water to banish your unwanted house guests*

*This only works with spiders

3. Enlist the help of a furry friend

Unless you’ve already got a cat, this one might prove a bit more tricky.

But for some cat owners felines act as great spider catchers, so you can sit back and relax as your moggy does all the hard work for you.

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4. Don’t be bitter

Another thing spiders aren’t too keen on is the smell of citrus.

Rub a lemon peel around window sills, cracks and door frames to stop false widows from making themselves at home.

Alternatively turn to your trusty spray bottle to make a lemon juice and water mixture.

5. Conquer your fear

Just kidding. What we really mean is to use conkers to line your interior and exterior walls.

This one may be more mythical than factual, but some believe that conkers, walnuts and horse chestnuts have a form of noxious chemical that repels spiders.

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No spiders were hurt in the making of this article.