Jump directly to the content
Exclusive
ERECTNOPHOBIA

Family flee home after finding spiders that can either kill or give you an erection lasting FOUR HOURS in Asda bananas

Dad-of-two Ashley Gamble said it was like 'something out of a horror movie' when the insects burst from the fruit

A TERRIFIED family have quit their home after it was invaded by dozens of the world's deadliest spiders - that arrived on a banana from their local Asda.

Ashley Gamble, his partner Sophia Newcombe, and their two daughters fled after dozens of the creepie-crawlies burst out of a nest that was stuck to a piece of fruit and spilled onto the kitchen floor as they unpacked their shopping.

 Ashley Gamble and partner Sophia Newcombe fled their home after deadly spiders swarmed out of a bunch of Asda bananas
5
Ashley Gamble and partner Sophia Newcombe fled their home after deadly spiders swarmed out of a bunch of Asda bananasCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The Brazilian wandering spiders have a bite that can kill in two hours and are amongst the most venomous on earth.

Its venom can also cause an erection lasting up to FOUR HOURS in victims.

Forklift truck driver Ashley, 28, said the scene was like "something out of a horror movie" - and is refusing to return to the house until Asda pays for it to be fumigated.

 Terrified of the damage the spiders could do to their young daughters, they are refusing to return until the property has been fumigated - at Asda's expense
5
Terrified of the damage the spiders could do to their young daughters, they are refusing to return until the property has been fumigated - at Asda's expenseCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Asda apologised and said the incident was "extremely rare".

But Ashley, who is currently staying with his parents along with Sophia and their children, fumed: "They have just fobbed me off.

"When I first went in to complain my house was full of spiders they offered me a refund for the bananas, which only added insult to injury.

"Then a worker said, 'Oh it's ok - they'll all die soon anyway', which didn't really help.

"It'll cost hundreds of pounds to have the house fumigated and I just don't have the money.

"There is no way we're going back until the house is completely cleared.

"I just can't risk it with the children."

 The bananas were home to Brazilian wandering spiders, also known as banana spiders, the most deadly variety in the world
5
The bananas were home to Brazilian wandering spiders, also known as banana spiders, the most deadly variety in the worldCredit: Rex Features

Sophia, 26, was unpacking the family's shopping when she noticed the white cocoon on the side of the banana and threw it on the floor in panic.

Ashley picked it up - and watched in shock as tiny spiders began tumbling out.

He said: "The nest was around the size of a 20p piece, and they were just falling out of it onto the floor.

"I grabbed the hoover and tried to suck up as many as I could, but they were running off everywhere.

"My partner was absolutely petrified. I gathered my family up straight away and we went next door.

"Then I called a pest control company, but they told me to contact Asda, who would sort out funding for the house to be fumigated."

 Pest control firms told Ashley Asda should fund fumigation but he thinks the superstore has "fobbed him off" and not tried to deal with the issue
5
Pest control firms told Ashley Asda should fund fumigation but he thinks the superstore has "fobbed him off" and not tried to deal with the issueCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Ashley, who has daughters Isla Rose, two, and three-week old Amelia Lily, spoke to his local store and was told to bring the banana in wrapped in a plastic bag.

He added: "They just said it could take days to sort, and an investigation would have to be carried out.

"I got the impression they thought I was trying it on.

"But the four of us are sleeping in one room at my parents' house.

"It needs sorting out as soon as possible.

"The thought of going back there is scary - these spiders can cause serious problems for adults, so imagine what a bite could do to a three-week-old baby.

"Sophia wants to move out permanently.

"Asda has infested my home with spiders because they haven't checked their products properly, and now they aren't willing to help out.

"It's disgusting."

 ASDA said it wanted to reassure people that this kind of incident is "extremely rare", as they sell a billion bananas every year
5
ASDA said it wanted to reassure people that this kind of incident is "extremely rare", as they sell a billion bananas every yearCredit: Alamy

A spokesman for Asda said : "We are in contact with Mr Gamble and would like to reassure all our customers that these types of incidents are extremely rare.

"All our bananas are washed and sprayed before they are transported to the UK and every single piece of fruit is manually checked for quality and stowaways.

"We sell one billion bananas every year and the chance of finding a spider is incredibly low, but very occasionally one hangs around to give us a fright.

"We are sorry for any upset this has caused and are keeping Mr Gamble updated throughout our investigation.”

Creepy facts about Brazilian wandering spiders

They appear in the Guinness World Records as the world's most venomous spider

Its scientific name - 'Phoneutria' - is Greek for ‘murderess’

It is also known as the 'banana spider'

They can grow to have a leg span of up to six inches

The spider killed more than a dozen people before a antidote for its bite was discovered in 1996