Embrace these superb insects

SPIDERS are back in the news again, it’s time for some arachnophobia as householders throughout the north west go into a blind panic.

First of all it was the false widow spider, now it’s the common, giant house spider which has become the target of the national media.

Obviously it is bad news when a child reacts badly to a spider bite which appears to have been the cause of the problem here – experts believe.

But these allergic reactions are few and far between.

I do admit they are getting to be a more regular occurrence.

Anyway since that one story there have been pictures of spiders, blown up massively, to terrify the nation.

Do you know there are 14 types of spider in the UK that can bite you!

I’m not surprised they bite as most humans are too keen to squash the poor little beggars.

I remember my niece picking up spiders when she was tiny. Now she won’t go near them.

This is common where it is in our culture to be scared of spiders rather than embrace them for the good work that they do.

The giant house spider can give you a nip if you pick it up.

So the answer is don’t pick it up. If you really want that creature out of your house pop a jar over it and slide a bit of paper underneath and carry it outside.

Just a tip while you are doing this – take a close look at how nature has created this superb insect.

It has a beautiful black design on its brown, furry back which is probably a ‘don’t touch’ warning.

It has eight long legs, which reach a peak about this time of year and two mean-looking fangs at the front.

It can grow up to three inches long, which looks pretty big when it is charging across the floor looking for cover.

It will stick to its web generally, but it needs to stretch those long legs when it is looking for a mate.

It is not keen to meet mankind because we are about 25 times its size.

Of course if you clear your house of spiders you can’t really complain when you have an infestation of flies or other beasties. To support the work of he Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside text WILD09 with the amount you want to donate to 70070. The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying north of the River Mersey. It manages about 40 nature reserves and 20 Local Nature Reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. ThetTrust has 26,000 members, and more than 1,200 volunteers. To become a member of the Trust go to www. lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129.