5 days ago
False widow season is here
If spiders are your particular trigger, then look away now, but be aware that experts in the field of our eight-legged friends are warning everyone to keep windows firmly closed for the coming month or so, as the False Widow Spiders kick off their annual love fest.
The romantic little creatures like to do their procreation indoors and so will be seeking a warm nest to snuggle up and get jiggy with their other halves.
Dr Tom Elwood, a top arachnologist, has pinpointed August as the height of spider shenanigans, particularly for the noble false widow – a venomous critter that's made itself right at home across Ireland. Pic: Getty Images
Originally from the Canary Islands, the false widow is an invasive species that can now be found in many countries across Western Europe.
In an article in Galway Beo, Expert Dr. Tom Elwood adds, '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.'
While most eight-legged visitors are nothing to worry about, the false black widow is a different kettle of fish, capable of delivering a vicious bite.
These bites aren't usually deadly but can pack a punch with symptoms like intense pain, nausea, swelling, and in extreme cases, severe allergic reactions or infections. Pic: Getty Images
Dr Elwood emphasises that it's not merely open windows that attract spiders, it's the accumulated dust and debris commonly found on windowsills and frames.
He clarifies: 'Spiders are drawn to dust, insect remains and debris on window frames,' adding that 'Webs cling better to rough or grimy surfaces. That's why cleaning your windows is just as important as keeping them shut.'
So if you don't fancy sharing your home with a host of loved up eight legged friends, then heed the warnings from the experts, close the windows firmly and keep frames and glass spotlessly clean and as a slippery window is no good for webs, Incy might just move on down the road.
