September marks what many call ‘spider season’ – and it is as unpleasant as it sounds. To help keep the eight-legged beasts at bay, Professor James Logan has explained why we are seeing a sudden spider invasion and how to get rid of them safely and humanely.
Speaking on ITV’s show This Morning, the expert said that most spiders love to live outside. However, with the weather getting colder, they are seeking shelter and warmth. The bugs love to come through our windows and doors – but some of them may already be in your home.
The Professor explained: “Some of the spiders actually live in the house the whole time and they’re just coming out now to mate. So you know those big house spiders that scuttle across the floor, they tend to be male spiders, and they are looking for a mate.”
How to get rid of spiders
The Professor warns that while you can use an insecticide, it will kill the spider and anything around it like grass and plants.There are other ways that you can stop them from coming in the house so make sure you close your doors and your windows, he adds.
You should where possible, not leave windows open if they are near a security camera or light as the light attracts bugs, and thus these areas become a key spot for them to gather – and once a window or door opens, they hurry on in.
The expert added: “There is some scientific evidence conkers contain chemical smells” that repells spiders. But while this may have some proof to it, you would have to put lots, everywhere all over your house. The same applies to cinnamon, peppermint oil and oranges. While spiders hate these smells, you would have to rub a lot of orange peel all over your house like windows, doors and skirting boards – in order for it to work.
Urging people to try it if they want, as it could work, it can be a lot of work, so make sure you are applying it everywhere you can. But what does not work? He tells people that some plug-in electronic devices may not work and are better suited to rodents rather than spiders and other bugs.
If all else fails, try getting a spider catcher. Not only does this mean you don’t have to be close to them, it means you can safely put them back outside meaning no harm comes to them.
Why are there more spiders this year?
Speaking about why you may be seeing more spiders than usual, James says that “there’s a trend” happening, explaining that “because we’ve got climate change, our summer’s are becoming hotter and longer” and our winters are also becoming warmer.
With this in mind, “spiders and insects can survive longer”, he reveals meaning the creepy crawlies are adapting and “surviving better” meaning “we will start to see more and more” of them.
Can spiders in the UK bite?
Sadly, yes. James reveals that “pretty much every spider can bite, but most spiders can’t penetrate our skin. But most spiders would never want to bite us because why would they?”
In fact, spiders want to avoid us as much as we want to avoid them. They will however bite if they feel threatened or under attack, but don’t worry as “there’s not really venomous spiders in the UK”, the Professor says.
Do we really swallow eight spiders in our sleep every year?
The ‘we swallow eight spiders every year in our sleep’ is thankfully a myth. “It might happen on a rare occasion, but spiders don’t want to go near your mouth. It doesn’t make any sense”, the professor assured people. He added that it is especially true if you snore as spiders will want to avoid these sounds.
