Giant spiders are invading Ireland and everyone is freaking out

Lifestyle

Aug 27, 2015

It's that time of year again, people.

Summer's over, college is starting back and… the giant spiders are here. If you've been keeping an eye on social media over the last week or so you've probably noticed an increase in the number of folks having complete meltdowns over massive spiders taking residence in their homes.

Like this one, for example… *runs for cover*

Found another one of these in the house … #spider #Ireland #creepycrawleys #scared #hatespiders Two in a week!! pic.twitter.com/VeQEe1JR2Y

— Stephen Griffin (@Thestephengriff) August 27, 2015

Finding a massive spider or three in your home is never going to be a pleasant experience, but experts say it's nothing to worry about.

Late August/early September is typically the time of year when creepy crawlies start looking for warmer places to live and lay eggs (i.e. your bedroom wall), and it's also when they go on the hunt for a mate.

This is my least favourite time of year as giant spider panic has begun. I can't cope. I'm living in fear. Dirty rotten creatures.

— Ruby Laine Make-Up (@RubyL_MakeUp) August 21, 2015

All those little spiders we might have paid no attention to earlier in the year are now reaching full adult size, and they're on the lookout for a partner, pest control expert Trevor Hayden told Spin 1038 this week.

According to Trevor, there are two main types of spiders we can expect to find in Irish homes… wolf spiders and giant house spiders.

It's giant house spider mating season again. That time of year when I weigh up the pros and cons of just setting fire to everything.

— Sarah Devine (@SarahDevine_) August 19, 2015

"Excluding legs, we regularly find wolf spiders with bodies around an inch long," Trevor explains.

Thankfully though, he promises they're generally harmless, even if you do get a nick or a bite. "The spiders we have here are not threatening." As for getting rid of our eight-legged friends, if you're not too squeamish, you can simply pick up the spider with some tissue or trap it in a glass and place it outside.