IT'S common to spot more spiders around the house as autumn approaches - but this year we're in for a lot more.
A wet August triggered a premature mating season, encouraging spiders inside to find a mate.
They've spent most of the summer gorging on all the lovely flies, moths and other insects, becoming sexually mature in the meantime. And now they're ready to act on it.
A couple of weeks ago we asked you to send in the pictures of the biggest eight-legged friend you'd spotted around the house of late.
You didn't let us down, with snaps of some remarkable specimens sent in from across Oxfordshire.
Here are some of our favourites.
For more information on the type of spiders you're likely to see, scroll to the bottom of the story.
Community answers
Seen any big spiders in your house recently?
"Send us your pictures and let's see who has spotted the biggest"
We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.
What is your response?Found this in the hall last night
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Found this in the hall last night What is your response?SPIDER IN MY BEDROOM IN HARWELL
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SPIDER IN MY BEDROOM IN HARWELL What is your response?Kicked this one straight out
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Kicked this one straight out What is your response?Found this spider in my bathroom around 3am this morning. No idea where it is now
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Found this spider in my bathroom around 3am this morning. No idea where it is now What is your response?Massive house spider casually hanging around on our curtains last week
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Massive house spider casually hanging around on our curtains last week What is your response?Felt guilty as chucked him out he was wandering up an down the fence looking lost. And I may have chopped one of his legs of by capturing him
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Felt guilty as chucked him out he was wandering up an down the fence looking lost. And I may have chopped one of his legs of by capturing him 
Felt guilty as chucked him out he was wandering up an down the fence looking lost. And I may have chopped one of his legs of by capturing him 
Felt guilty as chucked him out he was wandering up an down the fence looking lost. And I may have chopped one of his legs of by capturing him What is your response?Huge House Spider behind patio sofas
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Huge House Spider behind patio sofas 
Huge House Spider behind patio sofas 
Huge House Spider behind patio sofas What is your response?False widow in our house
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False widow in our house What is your response?Big fat spider outside my kitchen window during the hot weather in July
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Big fat spider outside my kitchen window during the hot weather in July What is your response?Caught this evening and set free 500m away
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Caught this evening and set free 500m away What is your response?This greeted the kids, they wasn't amused.
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This greeted the kids, they wasn't amused. What is your response?This is the 3rd spider of this type that I've had the company of in the last week.
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This is the 3rd spider of this type that I've had the company of in the last week. What is your response?Woke in the night for a drink, felt a tickle on my top lip... dug out my torch to find this guy swimming in my drink!😱
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Woke in the night for a drink, felt a tickle on my top lip... dug out my torch to find this guy swimming in my drink!😱 What is your response?Opened my curtains to find this bad boy in a glass, think he died though 😫
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Opened my curtains to find this bad boy in a glass, think he died though 😫 What is your response?The picture don’t give it Justice. It was huge
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The picture don’t give it Justice. It was huge 
The picture don’t give it Justice. It was huge What is your response?Jimmy has been living in my bathroom since May this year..... :)
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Jimmy has been living in my bathroom since May this year..... :) Seen bigger? Send in your pictures using the button below.
What type of spiders am I likely to see - and will they bite me?
In your house:
- Money spiders
Totally harmless and traditionally believed to bring good luck, more than 40 per cent of Britain's spiders belong to this family.
- Daddy Long Legs or Cellar spiders
Although these are big, they are harmless and do eat a lot of other spiders, including some of the big'uns.
- House spiders
These are the biggest of Britain's spiders, with some reaching an overall size of 12cm. It's one of the only species to match a large body with large thick legs.
- Lace web spiders
Don't get these confused with false widow spiders although they both bite. These guys are longer in body but with shorter legs.
- False widows
The false widow is unlikely to bite you unless you sit on it or it gets trapped in your clothes. Should you get bitten, it should be no more painful than a wasp sting, experts say.
- Zebra jumping spiders
These spiders are tiny - but harmless although they do jump which might freak you out.
- Missing sector orb weaver
This is another spider often mis-identified as a false widow, but is easily distinguished because it spinds a circular web rather than the vertical scaffold-like strands of a false widow.
How do I get rid of them?
Sadly there's no way you can get rid of them completely.
But there are some old wives tales and tricks of the trade which might help.
They include:
- Keep your house clean.
- Some advice says limit lighting, others says let lots of natural light in. Let us know what works.
- Apparently spiders hate strong scents. So essential oils are always a good trick.
- Spraying vinegar also works - but your house might smell like a chip shop.
- As does garlic. But that's also a matter of taste.
- Some say conkers in bowls by doors and windows (there's no actual evidence this works though).
- Get a dog. Some of them will eat them for you. Or a cat.
How long does spider season last?
Luckily, it's fairly short-lived and only lasts for a few weeks. And since it's early this year, it will hopefully end early too. We can but hope.
Seen any big spiders in your house recently?
Send us your pictures and let's see who has spotted the biggest
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