Studies has it that 15 percent of the population is afraid of spiders. This clever Irish content creator, who usually posts delicious recipes, detailed her amazing trick to get rid of them.

She told her followers on her TikTok account @lillyhigginsfood that all you need to replicate the hack is a matchbox. She explained how to use a matchbox to trap a spider and then safely then rehome it in the garden.

Lilly said: "I just saw this massive spider in the bath, so I just got a matchbox. Then, just put it over the spider like this, and close the matchbox and he's in there. I can bring it out to the garden now and release him safely."

Lilly opens the empty matchbox and then gently places the empty draw compartment over the spider. She then slowly closes the drawer, scooping the spider into the box.

The little creature is safely trapped in there, unharmed, ready to be transported outside.  TikTok users went wild for the app, and it's had a huge 342.5K views on the app and over 18K "likes".

Many thanked Lilly for the gentle method to get rid of spiders without harming or killing them. One wrote: "Love this. I am terrified of spiders but would never kill or harm them. Great tip."

Another said: "This is a better way of dealing with them, and not hurting or killing them."

"This is a good tip," one said. "Had two of the exact same spiders in my bathtub."

Another simply said, "That’s genius," while one wrote, "I love how gentle you are but the bath would be in a blaze and no spider would survive."

Speaking of a monster spider encounter, one wrote: "I captured one recently that I trapped under a pint glass..his legs were touching the sides. I found him because I heard him walk across 

Conkers

Conkers are said, according to a wealth of anecdotal, to keep spiders away. There is no concrete scientific proof, but many swear by this tactic to keep spiders out of the home. It is suggested conkers may give off an odor that spiders don't like.

Mint

Spiders, like many insects, are thought to be repelled by strong smells including mint. So, keep mint by your windows, doors, and other entry points and you will keep the eight-legged creatures at bay.

Vinegar

For something perhaps a tad strong, try spraying a vinegar and water solution in areas of the house popular with spiders. Spiders do not like the acid in vinegar, and will naturally steer clear of it.

Common UK spiders and how to spot them

You might have thought any spider in a house was a house spider, but there is actually only one official house spider and they grow to 10cm in leg span. These slightly fuzzy spiders have mottled brown patterns and darker legs.

Lace weavers (Amaurobius spp)

These spiders create sticky webs. They have large oval abdomens and usually have black heads.

False widoes (Steatoda spp)

There are three common types of false widows, but all of them have very round abdomens and a dark in colour. The common false widow is small (.5cm) and deep brown.

Another form of flase widow, the cupboard spider is 1cm in size and is dark red/brown/black. They may have a pale line on or abdomen or pale spots. The noble false widow can be spotted by its orange legs.

Common house comb-foot (Theridion melanurum)

This small spider is easy to spot because of its stripy legs and distinctive zigzag pattern on the body.