01
IDENTIFY THE SPIDER
- How can you recognise it?
- Eight legs and two main body sections; no antennae or wings.
- Where is it found?
- Corners, windows, gaps between objects and sheltered areas.
- Behaviour
- Some build webs; others roam in search of prey.
- Type of solution
- Preventing entry and a suitable surface application.
WHY DOES IT MATTER FOR HEALTH?
Most spiders pose no serious medical risk, though bites from some species can be medically significant. Do not handle an unidentified spider with bare hands. Seek medical assessment if a suspected bite causes significant or worsening symptoms; not every skin lesion is a spider bite.
Spiders are not insects: they have eight legs, two main body sections and no antennae. Shape, size and web-building behaviour vary by species.
A spider indoors does not, by itself, mean a dirty home or dangerous infestation. Small creatures to hunt and sheltered spaces can encourage spiders to stay.
Why do spiders build webs?
Web-building species use webs to catch prey and for shelter. Old webs may remain after the spider has left.
Do all spiders build webs?
No. Some hunt while roaming, so the absence of a visible web does not mean there are no spiders.