It's that time of year where you are starting to see more creepy crawlies in your home.

For some this is just the usual seasonal occurrence - but for others with a phobia of the the eight-legged critters its a nightmare.

But there's quite a straight forward reason why they leave their outdoor cobwebs and come looking for a cwtch indoors.

Professor Adam Hart, from the University of Gloucestershire's School of Natural and Social Sciences, has arried out research into how the seasons affect spiders' behaviour patterns alongside other professionals in the area.

The research found more of them are seen around this time of year because it's mating season.

Prof Hart told Wales Online helped to compile a report relating to the issue after researching the occurrence of house spiders in the UK.

The abstract to the report reads : "82% of records were males, supporting previous studies that showed house spider surges in autumn are predominantly males seeking mates.

"Sightings peaked in mid-September with a significant northwest progression across the UK as autumn progressed."

Spiders usually start to take over people's homes while they search for a dry place to mate from September through until October.

This means by the first week of October you should start to spot them a lot less frequently, but what can you expect?

What types of spiders could you see in your house?

House spiders

Giant House Spider

These are probably the ones that'll make you jump a little.

They are actually the biggest of Britain's spiders with some having the potential to reach a whooping 12cm in size.

The creepy-crawleys are known for making big webs that can last for years.

Money spiders

Money spiders can usually be identified from their small bodies - they usually measure no more than 5mm but their legs can be rather long.

They often hang upside down under a sheet web and their webs can normally be spotted in bushes or shrubs.

During mating season, you may also see them making themselves comfortable in the corners of homes but they're harmless little things.

Cellar spiders

A cellar spider

More commonly known as Daddy Long Legs, cellar spiders are large and a bit off-putting as they can grow up to 45mm.

You may not know this but you don't often see them outside. They much prefer to hang out in their webs in warm corners of cupboards and ceilings.

Like most common spiders they're harmless but they're known for eating many other spiders along the way.

Lace web spider

A lace web spider

People are known to mistaken these little ones for false widow spiders but they're a bit different.

They have longer bodies and also have shorter and thicker legs.

They're known for making their way indoors during the autumn to look for a mate - especially if there's been a lot of rain and they've lost their home as a consequence of wet weather.

Although they're small the little spiders also have the potential to bite, but they're not thought to be aggressive.

False widow spider

The false widow spider is the most venomous arachnid in Britain

The false widow is nocturnal and generally spends the daytime sleeping inside a crack or hole near its web.

They like environments that are dry and warm as they don't like being disturbed, which is often what attracts them to people's homes.

Even though they are more likely to be spotted outside, they also like to perch themselves under toilets, fridges and washing machines.

The spiders have been known to bite people in the past and some awful horror stories have emerged, but they are usually not known to attack unless you sit on one or one gets trapped within your clothes.

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What's the best way to get rid of them?

There are many ways you can prevent spiders from paying a visit to your home.

Theories include putting citrus fruit and even garlic in the cracks and gaps around your house to try and deter them.

But some of the more effective ways of keeping the eight-legged creatures out are thought to be the more basic prevention methods.

The first one is, perhaps, the most logical.

Keep them outside - it's a lot harder for them to get in if there is no access to the property.

One of the best things to do is to double-check any openings and cracks in the walls and fill in any gaps.

It's also a good idea to fix any broken cover vents or chimneys.

Spiders are known for hanging around in dark corners and areas that are neglected. Leftover food will also attract them.

It's also not a bad idea to get the rubber gloves on. Giving your home a good clean will prevent the little critters from making themselves too comfortable.