Venomous spiders set to invade properties by means of our pipes as they keep away from climate modifications
Households have been warned to watch out for venomous false widow spiders as eight-legged males move indoors to search for mates during ‘spider season’ as weather cools
Venomous false widow spiders are set to start climbing up the waterspout and into our bathtubs, a top boff warned. Dr Tom Elwood said as “spider season” kicked off this this week – when horny males move indoors to search for mates – the eight-legged critters could scuttle through pipes into homes.
The arachnologist said: “August is when male spiders become active – they’re searching for a mate and they’ll wander through open windows, up walls, into bathtubs – anywhere they can.”
It comes after Dr Elwood earlier this month urged Brits to clean their windows to stop grimy, cobwebbed frames becoming a haven for the poisonous arachnids.
Dr Elwood encouraged Brits to keep their bathtubs, sinks and other areas of their homes clean and tidy to hold back the invasion of venomous critters.
He said: “Spiders are drawn to dust, insect remains and debris.”
The spidey boffin added: “Spiders are already on the move.
“You may not see them, but they’re out there, climbing walls, slipping in through vents and squeezing through the tiniest cracks.”
His warning came in response to a report by wallpaper, name label and sticker firm quotemywall.co.uk.
It recommended Brits followed three easy steps to “spider-proof” their homes, including using a vinegar-based cleaning spray, making sure they cleaned right into hard-to-reach corners, and afterwards dried areas thoroughly with a microfibre cloth.
The news comes after we reported how one of the country’s most rarest “giant” spiders is returning to the UK after it was on the verge of extinction back in 2010.
The Fen Raft spider was about to disappear from our ecosystem but now, it’s made a comeback after hard work from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
These big friendly giants are typically found in grazing marsh ditches from June to September, and like to feast on other spiders, damselflies, dragonfly larvae and even fish and tadpoles.
Tim Strudwick, the RSPB Mid Yare nature reserves site manager, where many of these spiders live, told MailOnline: “The Fen Raft Spider is one of the UK’s rarest invertebrates and we are proud of the role our reserves and teams have played in its recovery.
“These spiders have an important role in maintaining the rich aquatic diversity found in the grazing ditches on our reserves. The females are impressive in size, but also beautiful – they are truly special to see.”
Luckily, these spiders aren’t venomous, but are “semi-aquatic” and like to run on water to capture their prey. These spiders are also “fairly shy” and can be seen at another RSPB site in Norfolk – where there are nearly 4000 breeding females across 12 sites.
