Your first instinct may be to kill a spider when you see it in your house, but this could do more harm than good. While spiders are often feared due to their appearance, quick movements, and potential venom, they’re rarely dangerous in the UK.
Of the 650+ species of spiders found in the UK, only 12 are poisonous enough to cause harm to humans. Spiders are more afraid of us and will only bite defensively if provoked, such as when trapped or crushed.
Killing a spider removes a natural predator that helps control pests in your home, such as earwigs, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. Without spiders, these pests may return, and killing one spider could attract more, as they also prey on other spiders.
While most spiders are venomous, their bites generally don’t pose a threat to humans. If you’re too scared to handle a spider, consider safely capturing it in a jar and releasing it outside instead of killing it.
