Brits say they’re 'living in fear' as spiders begin their annual invasion of houses across the UK.
Each year, as the weather begins to cool from the end of August to the beginning of September, millions of the critters are expected to appear in our homes as males leave their hiding places to find a mate.
But this year Brits are fighting back after spotting an 'life-saving' gadget that helps you evict the creepy crawlies while keeping a safe distance.
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'Life-saving' gadget that can help keep your house spider-free
If you're terrified of the eight-legged beasts, then a spider-catching gadget is a great way to humanly capture the critters without anyone getting hurt (the RSPCA advises not touching them with your bare hands).
One of the most popular options is this £11.99 spider catcher from Amazon; with thousands of rave reviews, it's proven a hit with arachnophobes.
So how does it work? All you need to do is squeeze the trigger to open the catcher, place it over the spider, and release the trigger to capture the insect. Then, all you need to do is release the spider far away from your house.
It can also be used to capture and remove spiders, moths, and flies. Just beware of the plastic spider hiding in the Amazon parcel....
What are the reviews saying?
One shopper said: "Absolutely brilliant! I have extreme arachnophobia and did not move out of my parents' for a loooong time, one of the reasons being - having to deal with spiders on my own. You probably just came here to decide whether to buy it or not - I will tell you now: BUY IT RIGHT THIS SECOND."
Another customer wrote, "I can now sleep in peace knowing spiders are not going to drop off the ceiling onto me!!! Before I go to bed, I clear the room. I do not want to hurt them but no wish to sleep with them."
A third added: "I don’t want to kill them, but I don’t want them in the room with me! This is the perfect solution - I’d like it a bit longer if I’m honest but I’m so proud of myself that I’ve managed to evict several huge spiders myself using this!"
What are experts saying about false widows?
It comes as one expert issued a chilling prediction about false widow spiders, which are known for their painful bite.
In news that will chill arachnophobes to their core, expert Dr Tom Elwood told the Daily Mail that the UK's 'most dangerous spider' is set to enter homes in greater numbers this week.
"August is when male spiders become active," arachnologist Dr Elwood told the Daily Mail. "They're searching for a mate and they'll wander through open windows, up walls, into bathtubs - anywhere they can."
It's safe to say, the news hasn't gone down well with the public. On a recent TikTok explaining the phenomenon, social media users expressed their horror at the upcoming invasion.
"I live in fear for these eight to nine weeks," one wrote. "I enter every room like the FBI!"
Another agreed, as they shared: "I had the biggest spider on me this morning and I literally just blacked out - sweating and I couldn't breathe. It sounds so dramatic but I physically can't deal with them."
A third wrote, "I'm terrified and have panic attacks!"
Danielle Fowler