Spiders
Most house spiders are harmless and eat other bugs. Lots of webs usually means lots of other insects. Fewer bugs means fewer spiders.
- Size
- Varies by species
- Legs
- Eight, and they are not insects
- Lives
- Corners, behind furniture, sheds
- Active
- More visible in autumn
How to tell
Eight legs
Spiders have eight legs and two body parts; insects have six and three.
Webs in corners
Most house spiders build webs high in quiet corners.
Autumn wanderers
Males walk around in autumn looking for mates.
Not sure which spider it is? A few regions have venomous spiders. Do not touch it: keep your distance, take a photo from there if you can, and follow local health advice if bitten.
Signs you have them
- Webs in corners, windows and behind furniture.
- Egg sacs: small silky balls in sheltered spots.
- Lots of other insects that they feed on.
- Spiders in the bath that came looking for water.
The plan
- 1
Vacuum webs
And egg sacs, regularly, in the quiet corners.
- 2
Fewer insects
Fewer bugs to eat means fewer spiders.
- 3
Seal the gaps
Around windows, doors and vents.
- 4
Lights off outside
Outdoor lights draw the insects spiders hunt.
Solutions for spiders
Gap and crack sealant
Closes the gaps around windows, doors and vents that spiders walk in through.
Opens Google Maps. Call first to check they have it.
Door sweep
Closes the gap under outside doors.
Opens Google Maps. Call first to check they have it.
Monitor traps
Sticky cards along the walls show where spiders, and the insects they hunt, are walking.
Opens Google Maps. Call first to check they have it.
Shoo does not sell these yet. They are standard products sold by other shops; follow the label on the one you buy.
What people worry about
Is this spider dangerous?
Nobody can tell from a description, and some regions have spiders with a bite that needs a doctor. Do not touch it, take a photo from a distance, and see a doctor or pharmacist if you are bitten.
How do I move it without touching it?
Use a glass and a stiff card or a long-handled catcher, and release it well outside. Then seal the gap it likely came through.
Do conkers or plug-in repellers keep spiders out?
No. Spiders follow the insects they eat, so fewer bugs and fewer gaps means fewer spiders.
The house is covered in webs. Why?
Lots of webs usually means lots of insects for them to eat. Vacuum webs and egg sacs, turn off outdoor lights and seal gaps around windows and vents.
I think I was bitten. What do I do?
Wash it with soap and water and see a doctor or pharmacist, sooner if it spreads, blisters or you feel unwell. Take a photo of the spider only if you can do so safely.