Spider season has started early
SPIDER season has reportedly started early and now homeowners are being warned over an incoming invasion of arachnids.
The spiders are so large they’re setting off burglar alarms, according to reports.
The eight-legged critters are entering homes attracted by the warmth during mating season.
Andrew Taylor and his family were alerted to the giant arachnids invading their home when their intruder alarm sounded.
Fearing the worst, due to a spate of recent burglaries in the area, Mr Taylor jumped out of bed to discover that it was in fact a huge spider that had set off the alarm.
But it wasn’t just one hairy-legged creepy crawly, it was several.
Thankfully, his wife managed to safely evict them from the house, which he says has since been ‘spiderproofed’ with peppermint spray.
The team at Sports Physio UK also received an unwelcome visitor.
They posted a photo on their Facebook page joking: “My patient this morning has a few issues. Six of his eight legs have biomechanical problems. Nothing we cannot sort out.”
Globally, there are more than 35,000 different species of spiders, yet only around 650 of these are found in the UK.
Some people suffer from arachnophobia, which is an extreme fear of spiders that can cause them to sweat, cry, and even have a panic attack.
But despite their often unnerving appearance, the species do actually help us, protecting our homes and gardens by keeping them pest free.
However, we realise many people would still prefer not to share a room with them, so here’s some tips from the professionals on how to keep the spiders away. How to keep spiders out... Pest control experts Rentokil provides the following advice on its website:
1) Vacuum regularly, high and low - particularly sheltered spots such as beneath worktops, backs of cupboards or under/behind large furniture.
2) Remove noticeable webs - on a regular basis.
3) Fill in gaps - in walls, around pipework and under doors to deter entry.
4) Remove sheltering sites - like firewood piles, garden bags, compost piles and general clutter from near your property.
5) Deter all insects - use lighting in a way that is less attractive to the insects (flies) that spiders feed on.
Then of course there are the other options, such as using conkers or horse chestnuts to deter spiders.
It’s believed that they give off some form of chemical that repels the eight-legged creatures, so it’s worth popping a few in the corners of the room just in case.
Peppermint oil, tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil is another suggestion.
Simply mix 15-20 drops with water in a standard spray bottle, then spray down the corners, cracks and entrances to your home.
Again it’s thought that spiders hate the smell and will run away from it.