The UK is in peak Spring spider season – and motorists have been warned to declutter their cars to prevent an unwanted arachnid infestation.
Many adult spiders enter a hibernation-like state over winter, taking shelter in dark outdoor spaces to ride-out the cold weather.
But when spring arrives and temperatures begin to increase, these spiders become much more active, emerging from their hiding places in search of food.
Spring spiders will also head inside to avoid the rain.
Graham Conway, managing director at vehicle leasing company Select Car Leasing, says homeowners will have probably noticed increased numbers of spiders in their homes in recent days – and the arachnids will be foraging in cars and vans, too.
He said: “There are around 650 different species of spider in the UK, with just a handful that are actually capable of delivering an unpleasant bite to a human.
“But despite that fact, around 21 per cent of Brits say they have a genuine phobia of spiders.
“If you’re likely to become dangerously distracted in your car upon spotting an eight-legged creature while driving, it’s wise to take steps to stop them entering your vehicle in the first place.
“The most obvious place to start is decluttering your vehicle’s interior, thereby removing any food sources for spiders. Pick up those crisp packets, bin the sandwich wrappers and vacuum the interior.
“Try not to give spiders a place to hide, either, which means removing any unnecessary items from the cabin. You should also clean your car’s air vents regularly as this is another spider hiding hotspot.”
Select Car Leasing says there are other ways to stop spiders from running rampant in vehicles. Here are their top five additional pieces of advice:
Make a scent spray
You can create 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. Fill a bottle with a mix of the scent and some water, then spray in the areas you want to keep spider free.
Check windows and boot seals
Perished rubber seals around windows and boots might be a potential vehicle entry point for spiders. Make sure your windows are fully rolled-up, too, as even the smallest gap is enough to invite spiders inside.
Lemons and oranges
Many spiders detest the smell of citrus fruit such as lemons, oranges or limes. Try rubbing some lemon or orange peel around your window and door frames and leave the peel in the car overnight.
Remove existing 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! Remove webs from roof racks, too.
Try not to panic
Spiders are almost universally completely harmless. If you encounter one while driving, stay calm and pull over if you need to. 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.
