
News
Share
Published 15:28 14 Sept 2024 BST
Updated 11:16 15 Sept 2024 BST

Spiders have been making their appearance in UK homes as mating season begins but arachnophobes have been warned against reaching for the hoover.
In September and October, the eight-legged creatures come inside to escape the weather and find a mate, meaning they can often be seen breaking cover and scurrying across the room.
Though it’s tempting to grab the hoover to get rid of them, spiders are an integral part of our ecosystem.
They help control the population of other insects that invade our homes, such as flies and although their appearance is frightening, spiders in the UK pose no threat to humans.
If a spider gets sucked into a hoover, it will more than likely die either from the trauma or, if they make it into the main chamber, of thirst.
The most humane way to remove a spider from your home is to get a glass and a piece of paper to capture them and set them free outside.
There are also lots of long-reaching gadgets available to purchase to help catch spiders if you are afraid to get too close to them.
Advise has also been issued on how to stop spiders from entering in the first place like keeping windows and doors shut.
There are also a number of household items that deter the creepy crawlies.
Spiders have sensory organs on their legs that allow them to smell and taste.
They hate the smell of a number of things that humans often quite like the scent of such as citrus, peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus and cinnamon.
Experts recommend spraying these scents around the common access points for spiders such as on windowsills and cracks in skirting boards.
Recently, it was reported that spiders that can grow as large as rats have been reintroduced into their natural habitat across the UK thanks to a successful breeding programme at Chester Zoo.
The Fen Raft Spider was on the verge of extinction in the UK just 15 years ago, but now - thanks to the hard work of conservationists - up to 3,750 breeding females have been recorded at 12 sites in Norfolk alone.
They mainly live in wetland areas and are still considered rare so the likelihood of you coming across one is slim.
Explore more on these topics:
Council looks to ban standing at pubs in Soho and West End
The proposals have been slammed by Sadiq Khan. Pubs in Soho and the West could be urged to ban customers from enjoying a drink whilst standing if a London council has their way. In its new draft licensing policy, Westminster Council has recommended that pubs and bars should not allow “vertical drinking” or ordering at […]
News
7h
Andy Burnham orders review of grooming gang early releases
PM orders urgent review after fears grooming gang offenders could be freed early Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ordered an urgent review into the government’s early prison release scheme after concerns were raised that some grooming gang offenders could still qualify for release before serving their full sentences. The move follows criticism from Conservative leader […]
News
8h
News
Where is the best place to watch the once-in-a-lifetime UK solar eclipse?
News