Contrary to what you might have heard, ALL UK spiders DO bite! It’s estimated that up to half the girls and women in the UK suffer from arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, and to combat this somewhat irrational fear, children are often told that “spiders don’t bite”. Unfortunately, this simply is not true.
The good news is that of the 650 different types of spider found here only 12 have bites that are likely to hurt you and none of these spiders will deliberately seek you out! On the very rare occasions that spiders bite they are usually just a mild irritation and none of our spiders can kill you.
Of more concern during the warm summer months are wasp and bee stings because literally millions of people get stung each year. When you get a few minutes to spare it might be useful to read the advice given at NHS Choices. Then, if the worst happens, you will know what to do straight-away when you or a friend gets stung.
As if we hadn’t enough to worry about with spider bites and wasp and bee stings, there’s more to come! The above website lists 9 other pests that might take a nibble at you. Don’t worry though because fatalities are exceptionally rare. The World Health Organization reports that you are twice as likely to get struck by lightning as you are to die from an insect bite or sting. With that in mind, pluck up the courage to try some of our 6 “Insect and Spider” quizzes listed in our Nature section.
It’s that time of year again when many different types of bugs and insects seem to invade our homes – particularly if you live near open countryside. Actually, it’s much more likely that the poor creatures wander in without any malicious intent and then our homes entrap them.
Most insects meander in through an open door or window and then, when they want to leave, they head for the light (usually a closed window) and it’s there that you find them. Their tiny brains cannot grasp the fact that light doesn’t always provide an escape route. Spiders on the other hand are more likely to seek out the darker corners of a house in which they can hide away with the intention of ambushing flies and other tiny insects.
It’s better to be safe than sorry and when a potential biter/stinger is found in your house then there is a wonderful, cheap and easy gadget for removing them without fear of harm to them or danger to you. Take a look at the Betta Bug Katcha. In our house this is the most valuable piece of home-ware that we have ever invested in. No bites for me and no more screams from my wife!