In news that proves nightmares can come true, spiders the size of mice are set to invade homes in the UK and Ireland over the coming weeks. The unwelcome eight-legged visitors have now gotten a lot bigger, and thanks to the wet spring and warm summer, they’re looking for a warm place to mate (aka your home). Speaking about the expected surge in visitors, Dr Claire Rind told Chronicle Live: “The males are on the hunt for females. And after a wet spring and lovely summer there are more insects around, which provide food for the Giant House Spiders, which have grown quicker and bigger. “Some could have leg spans the size of a tiny mouse, though their bodies are actually quite small – I’ve seen some big spiders the size of a rat and their bodies are huge by comparison.

“But I think the fact that they are very leggy is what people don’t like.”

Or the fact that they’re terrifying, can crawl under your bedroom door, tread over your arms while you sleep… So how can you keep these terrifying insects at bay? Best give your home the ultimate spring clean. Dr Rind explains: “Males sometimes sample the silk that females leave behind, tasting it to see if it is from the same species, and if it is following them - so it’s a good reason to dust.” She was also quick to reassure the public that the spiders aren’t dangerous, and people shouldn’t be scared of removing the spiders from their homes. Yep, we can definitely feel them all over our body as we type. Prepare to sleep with the lights on. H/T UniLad via Chronicle Live