GIANT spiders the size of rats which eat fish and walk on water are making a comeback in Britain.
The Fen Raft Spider was on the cusp of extinction with just three isolated populations in the country in 2010, and could have been wiped out by drought, a sea level rise, or tidal surges.
But that year, a project to save them was set up by a number of conservation groups, and in 2012, spiders were released on the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds‘ (RSPB) land.
Now, following efforts to save the species from oblivion, their numbers have risen again – giving arachnophobic Brits something to worry about.
The Fen Raft Spider has a leg span as wide as a man’s hand, and their webs can stretch up to a whopping 25cm – the size of a pizza
These colossal creatures are now thriving in the wet, marshy landscapes of the UK – so Brits living near these locations may want to keep an eye out for them.
Garden building expert at Tiger, Sam Jenkinson, shared five tips on how best to keep spiders away from your homes, LancsLive reports.
Clutter and debris attact spiders, so getting rid of any unnecessary mess will help you keep creepy crawlies at bay.
Hoovering, dusting and removing junk piles can help make your home less than welcoming for any arachnids looking to move in.
Spiders eat insects, so places free of them will be unappealing.
Insecticides, traps and baits can be used to eliminate insects – and kill two birds with one stone by further deterring anything looking to eat them.
Spiders don’t like a number of plants, so cultivating these can help dissauade them from visiting your home.
Peppermint, basil, lavender and citronella can help keep spiders at bay, so consider having these in your home or garden.
Spiders love firewood for a number of reasons.
They can shelter underneath it, use it to construct webs, and even lay eggs in it.
Insects also love firewood, making it additionally appealing to hungry spiders looking for their next meal.
Consider this when deciding where to store your wood.
Peppermint, vinegar and citrus are unappealing in the eyes of the spider.
This can be used to the arachnaphobe’s advantage, as these natural repellants can be tactically deployed in crucial areas to keep spiders at bay.
Consider making a peppermint spray from 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil, and water.
Spray this around your home – particularly entry points like doorways and windowsills – to keep spiders out.
It’s a happy bonus that peppermint smells quite appealing to humans.
The Fen Raft Spider is Britain’s biggest, making them far from difficult to spot.
The best way to see them is when the females create a nursery for their young, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Tim Strudwick, reserves manager for the RSPB in the mid Yare valley in Norfolk, said: “The female lays her eggs into a sack and when the young come out of that sack about three weeks later, they form a nursery in the water plants.
“You can see it just above the water surface.
“So this is what we’re counting, once you see one and get your eye in you start seeing them everywhere because they are quite a unique thing.”
He added: “They catch the dew and if you come on a morning, a sunny morning, the light goes through them, and they glow – you can see them with the naked eye 20m or so away.”
Tim Strudwick, site manager at the RSPB Mid Yare nature reserves, couldn’t be prouder of the spider’s resurgence.
He said: “The Fen Raft Spider is one of the UK’s rarest invertebrates and we are proud of the role our reserves and teams have played in its recovery.
“These spiders have an important role in maintaining the rich aquatic diversity found in the grazing ditches on our reserves.”
But if you’re thinking these oversized arachnids are just a pest, think again.
Strudwick describes them as “impressive in size, but also beautiful – they are truly special to see”.
With their distinctive white or cream stripes running along the sides of their abdomens, these semi-aquatic spiders are a sight to behold.
And if you’re near a pond, beware – they can run across the water’s surface to snatch up their prey, which includes everything from other spiders to fish and even tadpoles.
While the species is still listed as “Vulnerable” and remains a Priority Species, the annual spider surveys in September are expected to show another successful breeding year.
So, if you fancy a close-up look at these giant spiders (and have the nerves of steel to match), head to Strumpshaw Fen in Norfolk, where the best sightings are from June to September.
