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Thousands of ‘sex-crazed’ spiders to invade UK homes as mating season starts

Spiders 'the size of your hand' are set to start creeping indoors as UK mating season begins

Georgina Pellant - 7th September 2021

The giant house spider has had a perfect growing season throughout the hot, wet summer we've just had. Now they're about to move indoors.

With a bite that can penetrate human skin, many are wary of the critters - although it is said they will not bite unless provoked.

Said to be 'the size of your hand', the massive arachnids are on the prowl for mating partners and their arrival in your home is imminent.

Their mating season spans through August and September, meaning we are smack bang in the middle of it right now.

With the giant spider invasion impending, Vanessa Amaral-Rogers, from Buglife, says: “Autumn is the time of year when many of us get our houses invaded by rather large and – for some of us – rather scary eight-legged creatures.

“For the most part these are male house spiders and they are on the prowl and filled with intent.

“They are on the search for females and will explore every corner of your house looking for the lady spider of their dreams.”

People across the northwest have already started to report the giant creepy crawlies appearance, with Tik Tok, in particular, seeming to be swarming with the gruesome creatures.

Whilst male spiders normally tend to be reclusive, according to Steve McGrail, from Pro-Kill Environmental they tend to be driven out into the open by their desire to get their eight legs over.

He said: “The male spiders come out the woodwork during this time of year as it is breeding season and they are searching for female spiders.

“For the most part these are male house spiders and they are on the prowl and filled with intent.

“They are on the search for females and will explore every corner of your house looking for the lady spider of their dreams.”

With a leg span of up to 10cm, the male spiders are pretty ginormous.

Steve McGrail, from Pro-Kill Environmental, said that male spiders are normally reclusive, but tend to be driven out into the open by their desire to get their eight legs over.

He said: “The male spiders come out the woodwork during this time of year as it is breeding season and they are searching for female spiders.

“They are actually there in the home at other times of year but they are hidden away – under the floor, in the attic, in the basement. If you find them, it’s pretty much impossible to rid your house of them.

“They may disappear for a period of time, but other spiders will come in their place."

Whilst September's infestation has begun already for many, if you do come across a spider according to Steve is put them in a shed:

"The best thing to do if you find them is put them in a shed – it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind . If you put them outside they are likely to die.”