The 23 British spiders you're most likely to find in your house
WHEN the weather gets a little colder, spiders find their way into our homes to enjoy a warmer environment.
But what are the spiders that are most likely to creepy crawl into your home? Here is everything we know.
1. Black lace weaver spider
Black lace-weavers are usually found inside homes all year round.
They are found on walls, fencing and clutter around the garden and are most common in autumn when males leave their webs to find females.
They can be found indoors after heavy rainfall when their home becomes flooded.
They are harmless to humans.
2. Buzzing spider
Buzzing spiders are found all over Britain but are more predominant in the south.
They are rarely found on the ground but mostly in shrubbery and over the foliage of trees.
Buzzing spiders get their names from when the males vibrate on leaves to attract females.
3. Cardinal Spider
The cardinal spider is the largest spider in the UK.
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.
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.
4. Cave spider
The cave spider is roughly 10mm to 15mm long and can be found around the UK all year round.
These spiders are most likely to be found in caves, tunnels and spots with little to no sunlight.
5. 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.
6. Common crab spider
The common crab spider is most common in Britain from March to August in low-lying vegetation.
Terrifyingly they eat their prey by jumping on their backs and piercing them with their fangs.
7. Common orb-weaver spider
This spider can be seen from July to October in any structure where it can build a web.
Common orb-weavers mostly eat small insects and flies.
They get their name from the orb shape of their web.
8. Cucumber spider
This tiny green spider can be found in the UK from April to October.
They are found in low growing bushes and hedgerows.
Cucumber spiders are native to the UK.
9. Cupboard spider
Cupboard spiders can be found in (you guessed it) cupboards.
Their colouring varies from dark purple to brown or black.
While these spiders do bite, their bite isn't known to cause serious symptoms.
10. European garden spider
European garden spiders can be found in woodland and garden across the UK from June to October.
11. False widow
False widow spiders are found in outbuildings and homes all year round.
They are believed to have arrived in Britain in 1879 from the Canary Islands.
Despite their name being similar to the deadly black widow spider, their bites are way less harmful.
12. Four spot spider
The four spot spider can be seen in Britain in tall grass during the summer and autumn.
They have four white spots on their back giving them their name.
13. Giant house spider
This spider is the one you will see most common in the autumn.
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.
14. Green huntsman spider
Britain has its own terrifying version of the huntsman spider.
They can be found in woodlands and are very rare.
They are generally spotted from May to September in Southern England and Ireland.
15. Jumping spider
These tiny spiders can be found in low vegetation from May to September.
They get their name from jumping on their prey rather than collecting it in a web.
16. Labyrinth spider
This rather large spider is found in Wales and England from June to September
They live in hedgerows and in long grass.
17. Money spider
These little guys are known to be very harmless and can be found in the foliage from trees.
18. Orb-web spider
These strange-looking spiders can be found near water and are mostly seen from May to September.
19. Running crab spider
These very dramatic looking spiders are found in England and Wales from April to October and live in low growing vegetation.
20. Sector spider
Sector spiders are found in homes hanging from window frames and live inside all year round.
21. Zebra jumping spider
These strangely adorable looking spiders are twice the size of a standard jumping spider.
While they can bite, their bites are not venomous.
They will usually run away from you instead.
22. Spitting Spider
The only variety of spitting spider found in the UK is the Scytodidae thoracica.
The species in the UK grows to between 3-6mm with a dome-shaped body and straw-coloured legs with dark flecks or spots.
Spitting spiders only have six eyes while other varieties of spider have eight.
While out hunting at night they use a unique technique to capture their victims (other spiders or insects) by spitting out a venomous liquid that congeals around the prey and then the spider starts its feast.
They are harmless to humans and can mostly be found in southern England.
23 Tube web spider
Tube web spiders are mainly found in the UK between June and October.
It gets its name from the from the tube-like silk it spins.
The entrance to the tube is usually encased by silk trip wires, rather like the spokes of a wheel.
Although usually found outside they do come indoors, often searching for a mate.
These alert the spider to possible prey passing by.
It’s a nocturnal spider that likes to settle within outside walls, wooden faces and other holes it can lay its eggs in.
It’s mainly found in south-east England, particularly in coastal areas.
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