Irish Spiders Are Getting Bigger – And People Are Losing Their Shit

niallharbison

Chatting with friends recently, it hit me that spiders are definitely getting bigger across the country and have been doing so all summer.

A quick scan online and the feeling seems to be mutual among the brush-wielding, terrified population all across the country.

I personally can’t open a door in my house without meeting a couple of our multi-legged friends scurrying for cover.

I’m not scared of them, luckily, although I do worry slightly what they might get up to on my face during the night.

So what the hell is going on here and is it going to get worse?

Spiders in Ireland have literally grown about 20 times in size in the past year, sick yokes

— Tiernan (@tiernanmcg98) September 25, 2016

The worst thing about Autumn is the HUGE spiders that all want to cotch in the house ????????

— Honor Ireland (@honorireland) September 18, 2016

The reason we’re seeing so many now in September is:

They’rre looking for a warm place to live as Autumn approaches
The unseasonably warm weather means that it is only now in late September that it is starting to get cold enough for their little indoor adventures
Male spiders are on the hunt for partners as the mating season commences. Hence all the scurrying around. Gross.

The good news is that no matter how many horror movies you’ve watched – spiders in Ireland are mostly harmless.

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY SPIDERS IN IRELAND. I GET RID OF 2 EACH MORNING AND THEN COME HOME TO 2 MORE IN THE WINDOW

— Lauren Lucibello (@LaurenLucibello) September 11, 2016

no one told me to expect spiders in Ireland?!? They’re like house pets

— ♡ (@nooralk16) September 8, 2016

The cold weather coming in the next month should mean you’ll stop seeing them as much but the great movement from outdoors to indoors will mean they will be very visible until mid-October or longer if the weather holds up.

Telegraph: Invasion of giant house spiders coming as mating season begins : https://t.co/4ZJ6ZZQS5O

— Northern Ireland (@ninews) September 4, 2016

How to keep spiders at bay:

If you really can’t stand the sight of the little buggers then these three simple tips will help keep them out of your home..

Hoover the house – and make sure you aim high and low and get rid of any webs that you see
Block any gaps in windows, under doors or other ways into the house
Get rid of any other insects especially flies – which are what the spiders live on
If all else fails, just scream

It may not have been the news you were looking for, but at least you know where they’re all coming from…