SPIDERS are the stuff of nightmares for people with arachnophobia.
There is more than one type of spider that can be found in the UK, and most of them are harmless to humans. Here's what we know.
What are the biggest spiders found in the UK?
Huntsman spider
Don't worry Brits, this spider is not actually native to our shores but there have been a few discovered hitch-hiking into the country.
In February 2022, the large spider was found in a shipping container in Hull by dock workers.
After making the sighting, staff legged it and called in the RSPCA.
Brave officials safely captured the giant arachnid after its month-long journey around the world.
This type of spider is usually huge, with a leg span of 12 inches.
However, despite it carrying venom and being able to bite, they are not fatal to humans.
There has been reports that the venom can cause headaches, vomiting and heart palpitations.
Cardinal spider
The cardinal spider is the largest spider commonly found in the UK.
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Otherwise known as Tegenaria parietina, some of these spiders have been recorded to have a leg span of 12cm.
The name "cardinal" was appropriated from a legend that dates back to the 14th century when Cardinal Wolsey was scared by the spider at Hampton Court.
The spider is fairly rare in Europe and is found more commonly in the south of England.
Everything you need to know about spiders
Most live in buildings or walls and like all spiders live in houses.
They can withstand very dry conditions and survive for months without sustenance.
The cardinal spider is capable of biting, although bites have rarely been recorded.
The nip is believed to be completely harmless and painless to humans.
Four spot spider
This is the UK's heaviest spider.
The four spot spider can be seen in Britain in tall grass during the summer and autumn.
Its size can range from 9-20mm.
They have four white spots on their back giving them their name.
Adults reach maturity in late summer and autumn, when the mated females can become very large as their abdomens distended with eggs.
Giant house spider
This spider is the one you will see most common in the autumn.
They can grow as big as 12cm in length.
The giant house spider lives in sheds, attics, homes and out buildings.
It can survive for several months without any food or water.
Females are about 18mm in length with males slightly smaller.
They are seen all year round but mate in the autumn time.
Labyrinth spider
This rather large spider is found in Wales and England from June to September.
They can grow up to 18mm in length.
They live in hedgerows and in long grass.
Labyrinth spiders produce a sheet web. This is so thick in some places that it appears white in colour.
Cellar spider
Cellar spiders are also known as Daddy Longleg Spiders.
Their spindly bodies can be up to 10mm in length.
They can be found in homes all year round with males living up to two years and females can live up to three years.
Cellar spiders stay indoors because they benefit from a warm, stable temperature.
They have very long legs but a tiny body.
These spiders hand upside down from their webs.
What are the biggest spiders found in the world?
Huntsman spiders
Already mentioned above, this is one of the world's larger spiders.
It is only huntsmen that can nimbly run up sheer vertical surfaces.
Huntsman spiders are renowned for the enormous size, with males able to achieve a leg span of between 25 to 30 centimetres.
They live in warm tropical climates across the world in places such as Australasia, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Mediterranean Basin.
They are common in Australia but have been introduced accidentally to parts of the USA, Pakistan, India, China, and Japan.
Adult Huntsman spiders do not build webs but forage for food.
Their diet mainly consists of insects but they are also known to eat small reptiles such as skinks and gekkos.
Huntsman spiders use venom to stun their prey and to aid in digestion.
These huge spiders are members of the Sprassidae of which there are more than 1,000 species.
The Goliath birdeater
This spider belongs to the tarantula family and is found in northern South America.
It is the largest spider in the world by mass – 175 g (6.2 oz) – and body length – up to 13 cm.
However it is second to the giant huntsman spider by leg span.
Brazilian salmon pink bird-eating tarantula
They are thought to be the third largest species of tarantula in the world.
The tarantulas are found in forest regions of north-eastern Brazil.
When fully grown they can have a leg span of up to 10 inches.
The breed is black in colour and once mature has pink-red hairs along their legs, chelicerae and abdomen.
They are popular pets as they have large bodies, are considered to be docile and are easy to breed.
The salmon pink bird-eater tends to attack by flicking hairs from their abdomen at a predator which cause pain, and can cause blindness if thrown into eyes.
They also have a venomous bite that can cause pain, but it is a last resort defence by the species.
The spiders don’t spin webs to catch prey, instead they lie in wait on the floor of the Brazilian rainforest.
They eat a mixture of insects, lizards, mice and occasionally small birds.
Where am I most likely to find a giant spider in my house?
Spiders are likely to settle in quiet areas where they are unlikely to be disturbed.
These include in hidden areas in the house and places covered by clutter.
This is so they can find food and water easily.
Some of the most common places in which you can find a giant spider in your house are behind the fireplace, under the sofa or in the bath.
Make sure to keep your house as clean as possible to find as few spiders as possible.
When is UK spider season?
Spider season isn't very long - which is good news for those who suffer from arachnophobia.
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It begins in the first or second week of September and ends by the first week of October.
Spiders come indoors as the weather begins to cool so they can mate.
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