As the winter months start closing in, many Dubliners are discovering more spiders than ever sheltering inside their homes.
A new survey by Onlinetradesmen.ie on 1,300 people found that a whopping 98 per cent of homeowners in Ireland found arachnids in their homes this autumn. But it seems that spiders are multiplying and also getting bigger, with 48 per cent of people surveyed saying spiders are larger than in the past.
Yet despite this, most people seem reluctant to kill spiders with 43 per cent of people choosing to gently move the eight-legged insects outside.
Read more: Experts warn venomous spiders could invade Dublin homes as temperatures drop
Read more: False widow spiders Ireland: How to keep them out of your home and what happens if you are bitten
According to the survey's findings, 32 per cent admit that they will kill a spider, while 26 per cent of people prefer to leave spiders alone, and 13 per cent would kill spiders if they appear threatening. Meanwhile, around 19 per cent of people won't hesitate to kill a spider regardless of how the spider looks.
The survey also found that 72 per cent of participants don't how to keep spiders at bay, while 33 per cent can't tell the difference between native Irish spiders and venomous spiders like the False Widow. And just five per cent of homeowners are confident in their preventative measures to keep spiders out.
To help worried homeowners this autumn, Onlinetradesmen.ie has distributed information on distinguishing the false widow spider to respondents and handy tips to stop spiders from invading homes. The spider prevention guide can be accessed on their website: How to Prevent Spiders in the Home: A Handyman's Guide.
Ted Laverty CEO of Onlinetradesmen.ie said: “It's both fascinating and alarming to see how homeowners across Ireland react to spiders. While many recognize the essential role spiders play in our ecosystem, there's a clear knowledge gap in distinguishing harmless spiders from potentially harmful ones.
"We hope our spider prevention guide will help bridge that gap and promote a more informed, humane approach to these eight-legged visitors."
And for those who'd rather not hurt or kill a spider, there's a brilliant new Spider Catcher sold on Amazon for just €11.49 (£9.99) that allows you to catch the eight-legged creatures safely and release them back into the wild.
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