Giant House Spiders are invading UK homes this autumn, and spider expert Dee Patel has warned they could be more numerous and "potentially bigger" than usual after a record-breaking summer. Warmer weather has created ideal conditions for spiders to thrive, with heatwaves bringing an influx of insects like mosquitoes, moths, and bluebottle flies — which is good news for the spiders.
Giant House Spiders are among the fastest invertebrates and can have a leg span of up to 10cm. The extra food means they are growing even bigger than usual this year, according to entomologist Dee. They usually appear in October, but this year spider season has "started earlier." Fortunately, they are largely harmless and are "terrified" of humans, though that does not stop most people from wanting to rid their homes of them.
Why spiders are bigger this year
Dee, from London, said: "They're not interested in us at all. The female house spiders are situated within our homes - it's mainly this time of year when males are coming in looking for a partner. The females are always there. The reason they run so fast is mainly because they're terrified of us. But they are harmless to us."
Dee said they would only ever bite "if you were to pressure them or corner them with your bare hands", but even then "they don't have the strength or the sharpness to really pierce human skin."
The spider expert added: "When they have food readily available, seasons start earlier. Peak is usually October but we've noticed it's started earlier. Their exo-thermic cycle is sped up, so you get more generation of spiders quicker than usual. Which means more spiders in general and potentially bigger because of the food sources available."
Two ways to keep spiders out
There are two things households should do to get rid of spiders in their homes, according to Dee, and one might surprise you. Spraying peppermint oil is a common way of keeping spiders at bay, but you may not know that loud noises can also keep spiders out of your home.
Dee said: "Peppermint oil spray can stop them - spiders taste things using their feet and almost all insects hate the taste and smell of peppermint. Spray around doors and windows. It doesn't harm them, they just don't like it, so they won't come in.
"Spiders sense sound using fine hairs on their legs - it's very important for them to do that. When running across the ground they need to be able to feel and hear the vibrations of a predator around. Playing loud music can help as they hate the vibrations. Neighbours might complain, but spiders will feel it on their hairs and it will put them off."
Why spiders matter
It is also good news if you have a partner that snores, as the same vibrations as music can make them run away. "If you really don't want a spider to come for you, find a partner that snores! A heavily snoring partner would stop a spider from coming onto your bed," he said.
Despite spiders being a fear for many in the UK, Dee said we really can't do without them. "They do an awful lot for us," he said. He added: "If we were to get rid of the spiders and insects from this world within three years, nature would die. Humankind could die as a result of that. It's just respecting that, getting used to that and understanding it."
So while you may not want them in your home, Dee's advice is to try and keep them out of your house rather than killing them when you spot them. "Through autumn we'll be seeing more of them, living longer, maybe all the way to Christmas as the temperatures are just right for them," he said. "It's the most common phobia in the UK but it's also the most unreasonable and irrational as they can't harm us."
