[Denver]

Any arachnophobes should look away now - because the UK is being taken over by a 150-million strong invasion of giant house spiders.

The eight-legged beasts can grow up to 7.5cm in size and are usually a dark orange or brown.

They usually enter homes in the UK between late September and October, but experts are warning there could be more than ever before this year.

MailOnline readers up and down the country have sent in pictures of the gruesome creatures spotted lurking in their homes.

According to experts the recent wet weather has meant the insects and flies spiders eat have been easier for them to catch - which means they're even bigger this year.

Naturalist Malcolm D Welshman said: 'It's boosted their population – hence 150 million are now on the march indoors as the spider-nesting season starts.

Simon Garrett, head of Conservation Learning at Bristol Zoological Society added: 'Spiders don't specifically want to enter your home – in fact, they'd rather stay away as there's less food and it's too dry and clean. It is the need to mate that changes their behaviour.

'Some will move into a house if there is an entry point for them.'

After a male has found a female's web, he remains there for a number of weeks, mating repeatedly with her.

The female then stores the sperm over the winter, allowing her to produce more than ten egg sacs – each containing up to 60 eggs – the following spring.

Giant house spiders, scientific name Eratigena atrica, are larger and bolder than the more common 'ordinary' house spiders.

Pest controllers recommend sealing cracks in doors and removing plants from the outside of the house to prevent spiders entering your home.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...n-Britain.html

[Alf]

I've had loads lately, some right big beauty's.

I know they're only males searching for a mate, but they won't find none in my house.

I always capture them and release back to the outdoors.

[Marsh.]

Well they better not mate in my house as they'll get the bottom of my shoe. They wouldn't have a chance to lay eggs.

[RichardG]

i got rid of one with my hoover earlier

i felt bad but it shouldn't have decided to set up camp on the wall right next to my pillow

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Well they better not mate in my house as they'll get the bottom of my shoe. They wouldn't have a chance to lay eggs.

They're gonna get you while you sleep. Revenge of the Spiders.

[RileyH]

I was nearly sick reading that. I'm so scared of spiders it's ridiculous

[Tom4784]

Doesn't this story pop up every few weeks at this point?

[Scarlett.]

It is genuinely mating season for spiders at this time of the year, it's not an 'invasion' though, its just some spideys looking for rumpy pumpy.

[Oliver_W]

After a male has found a female's web, he remains there for a number of weeks, mating repeatedly with her.

How does one sign up to be a spider?

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

How does one sign up to be a spider?

I'm pretty sure if you want to hang around a spider's web for weeks and repeatedly smash your junk into it, there's not much anyone can do to stop you... ... you don't need to turn into a spider.

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

I'm pretty sure if you want to hang around a spider's web for weeks and repeatedly smash your junk into it, there's not much anyone can do to stop you... ... you don't need to turn into a spider.

You sound like you're talking from experience.

[Saph]

There was one in my bathroom last week and I had to hairspray it and trap it under a towel, then I used my squirty water bottle and smashed it to death

[waterhog]

Originally Posted by Alf

I've had loads lately, some right big beauty's.

I know they're only males searching for a mate, but they won't find none in my house.

I always capture them and release back to the outdoors.

that's what I do - with a glass being careful not to damage daddy long legs.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Saph

There was one in my bathroom last week and I had to hairspray it and trap it under a towel, then I used my squirty water bottle and smashed it to death

[smudgie]

Bring it on.

[bots]

i happily let spiders run around the house, they do no harm to us and they clean up lots of annoying insects. Spiders are your friends

[Alf]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

i happily let spiders run around the house, they do no harm to us and they clean up lots of annoying insects. Spiders are your friends

I'm just scared they'll go into my ears or mouth or up my nose while I'm asleep. So I have to catch them in a glass and put them back outside.

[jaxie]

Spiders don't bother me though if you don't like them get a cat, mine eradicate most of the larger spiders that live in the house.

[Ashley.]

An invasion? The cheek of these spiders, coming over here, stealing our homes.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Ashley.

An invasion? The cheek of these spiders, coming over here, stealing our homes.

Trying to take up lodgings rent free under my rug.