How to get rid of spiders in the house, treat spider bites and what to do if you’re overwhelmed by creepy crawlies
Spiders flock to find shelter in British homes come autumn - so how do you stop the invasion?
THEY are the most feared creepy crawlies in the UK, with nearly one in five Brits saying they are scared of spiders.
But how do you get rid of spiders in your home — and how do you treat a spider bite if you come across a rare venomous breed?
How do I get rid of spiders in my home?
Sightings of spiders are on the up, as they tend to flock to shelter in late summer and early autumn to find a mate and prepare for the winter.
In October 2018 eleven schools were forced to close for up to a month after invasions of thousands of venomous false widows.
Exterminators in chemical suits were seen at a London primary as parents said they were "petrified".
Spiders seek out white walls and surfaces so they stand out to potential mates — so that's why they often seem to appear in the bath.
But there are an array of handy tips that could ward off a full-scale arachnid invasion.
Spraying peppermint scented air freshener around your home is a tried and tested trick as spiders hate the smell of it.
And homeowners are advised to hoover their floors and carpets regularly to pick up any stray crumbs that can attract tasty bugs that spiders love.
Remove any webs that crop up and try to fill in any gaps in pipework, door and window frames, skirting boards and masonry to keep the creeps out.
Removing any sheltering sites like compost piles and garden bags from near the outside of your home is another way to deter them, alongside using lighting that is less attractive to the flies which spiders feed on.
Spotting a false widow spider
- The false widow is a medium sized spider with a round, brown body and cream coloured markings.
- Its legs are a reddish-orange colour.
- Females range in size from 9.5 to 14mm while males are 7 to 11mm.
- The spider's body and legs will have a glossy appearance.
- The species closely resembles the black widow spider, aside from its colouring.
How do I treat a spider bite?
Thankfully, the majority of spiders that are native to the UK are not harmful to humans.
But there are still regular cases of venomous spiders leaving people with nasty nips.
The false widow spider is the most common of these creepy crawlies to pose a bite threat to Brits.
Victims will be bitten if the spider becomes trapped in their clothes or is roughly handled.
You can tell you have been bitten if you feel an itchy and sometimes painful red lump develop on your skin beneath two tiny puncture marks.
If you have been bitten by a false widow, the NHS advises that you wash the wound with soap and water and apply a cold cloth or ice to the area for at least ten minutes to help reduce the swelling.
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Raise the affected area above your head if possible and avoid scratching as this could cause infection.
If you're worried, have been stung in the mouth or throat, or the symptoms are very painful, call NHS Direct on 111.
If you feel nauseous, are vomiting, wheezing, or feel dizzy, or your face has swollen, heart rate quickened or are passing out of consciousness, call 999.