The hot but wet summer has led to an
invasion in some home that is unwelcome, but also for many people, simply
terrifying. Spiders native to the UK are not venomous, but no less scary if you
have a fear of them.
Unfortunately,
the recent hot summer has meant the common house spider is now bigger than
ever… and making its way up the garden path to the warm sanctuary of your home
to see out the winter months.
Increasing
in numbers and size
Experts are warning that after
the long hot summer, matched by the mild autumnal temperatures we are all
enjoying, the giant house spider is loving it too. House spiders, in spite of
their name, enjoy the peace and quiet of the outdoors, especially sheds and
undisturbed places in the garden.
Our homes, however, are the
perfect place to mate and guess what? That mating season is now.
For anyone with a serious hatred
or fear of spiders, the first few weeks of autumn must be their least favourite
time of year with large house spiders making their way into homes to find their
mate.
When temperatures are mild, there
is more food available and thus, the spiders thrive. It is the male spider,
however, that makes the first steps on the trek for love. Searching out female
spiders to mate with, the male spider enters home through an open door or
window. They are not, however, eating at this point, simply roaming around
looking for a female mate becoming a little weaker with every step.
The
bite – but it is not serious
The UK has no killer spiders but
some of our native spiders so carry a venomous bite – however, before you start
running for a spider-free hill, this does not mean they will attack at will. In
fact, spiders here in Britain tend to be a peaceful bunch until they feel under
attack which, in most cases will come from another spider or insect.
The common house spider can bite,
if picked up by one of its leg etc. but rather than delivering a nasty bite
that can paralyse or kill, will simply deliver a nip (which you may not feel)
as a way of being released from your grip. Their ‘venom’ is too weak to cause
us humans any issues.
Catching
a spider
Spiders play an important role in
our environment, including preying on smaller insects. Catching them indoors
and relocating them to the garden is a sound ecological thing to do. Follow our
5-step plan:
I.
Don’t panic
II.
Place large glass over spider, taking care not
to trap the legs. Use a thin piece of cardboard or something similar to trap spider
in glass – release into garden
III.
For a spider in the bath, coax it up on to a
towel and then shake it off outside
IV.
Or use a dust pan and brush and sweep it into
the pan; as you walk outside tap the dustpan so that the spider doesn’t move
V.
Coax it onto a long stick and then shake it off
outside, then vacuum the old webs
