GIANT house spiders are back as they crawl back into our homes as winter approaches.
Here's what we know about getting rid of them.
What are giant house spiders?
Many different spider species will invade our homes this autumn, but this giant house spider is the one you will see most common.
The giant house spider lives in sheds, attics, homes and out buildings.
It can survive for several months without any food or water.
They are seen all year round but mate in the autumn time.
Although, this spider is called the 'giant' spider, it's not the biggest in the UK.
The cardinal spider is the largest spider across the British isles.
Otherwise known as Tegenaria parietina, some of these spiders have been recorded to have a leg span of 12cm.
How long do giant house spiders live?
It normally lives for two or three years, but lifetimes of up to six years have been observed.
While the female only leaves its nest to feed, males can often be seen wandering around houses during the late summer and early autumn looking for a mate.
This so-called "spider season" normally begins in the first two weeks of September and ends by the first week of October.
How to get rid of giant house spiders in the UK
Keeping your house clean is the most effective way to deter spiders. Dust and vacuum any spider webs or egg sacs (which will be ball shaped, and often hidden in the web) waiting to hatch.
Spiders will be less eager to return when their offspring and habitats have been removed. If you do this as soon as you spot them, it will make cleaning a whole lot easier.
Top of the list and perhaps the easiest (and most fragrant) is to use peppermint oil to deter our eight-legged friends.
After cleaning your home, you can mix up a two-part solution by adding around 20 drops of peppermint oil to a bottle of water.
Simply pour this into a spray bottle and spritz all around your house.
Plus citrus and eucalyptus are also good alternatives.
You can peel lemons and oranges and leave the peel in places where spiders might like to hide to put them off, but replace it regularly as the aroma won’t last forever.
How to keep giant house spiders out of your home
By sealing all cracks, gaps and crevices that provide access inside the home is an important way to prevent giant house spiders from wandering into the structure.
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Use a vacuum or broom to remove the spiders, webs and egg cases, and making sure the giant house spider’s food sources are kept to a minimum.
It's important to remove any nooks and crannies, cleaned up are also important prevention measures.
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