UK households told to close windows for next 4 weeks to deter one terrifying visitor

Daily Record

16 hours ago

It's the time of year when an unwanted guest may be looking to get into your home
Spiders in the house are part and parcel of the summer months. But August is when false widows, considered the most venomous arachnid in the UK, are on the march and experts have urged householders to act.
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The huge spiders, which can bite and dish out pain comparable to a wasp sting, are in their annual mating season march indoors as they search for warm corners.
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And homeowners have been urged to close all windows day and night to keep them out. Although they will only bite if they feel threatened, it can result in painful swelling at the site.
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In more serious cases, some people can experience an allergic reaction to their venom.
The NHS advises calling 999 and asking for an ambulance if you experience any of the following symptoms from a bite (from any spider or insect):
Lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
Wheezing or difficulty breathing
Skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale
You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
Fainting
A child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do
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Three species of false widow spiders are very similar, according to The Wildlife Trusts, and all can be found around the home at this time of year.
There's the Rabbit hutch spider (Steatoda bipunctata), the Cupboard spider (Steatoda grossa) and the Noble false widow spider (Steatoda nobilis).
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The noble false widow is the largest of the three, with females growing up to 14mm in body length (10mm for males).
Leading arachnologist Dr Tom Elwood has some tips to keeping the spiders, which belong to the same family as the deadly Black Widow spider, away, reports The Express.
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Dr Elwood 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."
Dr Elwood says it's not only open windows that draw spiders in — it's the dust and debris found on many window sills and frames.
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"Spiders are drawn to dust, insect remains and debris on window frames," he explains. "Webs cling better to rough or grimy surfaces. That's why cleaning your windows is just as important as keeping them shut."
These spiders are often reported on floors, along skirting boards and up walls.
'Spiders are drawn to dust, insect remains and debris on window frames,' he explains. 'Webs cling better to rough or grimy surfaces. That's why cleaning your windows is just as important as keeping them shut.'
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These spiders are often reported on floors, along skirting boards and up walls.
How to keep False Widows out:
Dr Elwood says: 'Do the right things now, and you won't be waking up to spiders crawling across your bedroom floor.'