Spider mating season is in full swing, so we’re seeing lots of ‘meaty’ spiders darting across our floors right now. You’ll know the ones I mean – they’re as big as your hand and the sheer size makes you double-take. You’ll likely have a trusty card and cup at the ready, so you can swiftly catch and release this eight-legged guest – but the process is rarely ‘swift’.
Whether the spider falls on your face, retreats to an awkward crevice or keeps on coming back, this arachnid removal service can be as dramatic as it is ineffective. But what if I were to tell you that you’ve been approaching the spider all wrong? I spoke to Ricky Young, owner of Youngs Pest Control, to discuss the best way to trap a spider and where you should release it. And no, an open window won’t do!
What is the cup-and-card trap?
Everyone should know what we’re talking about when we refer to the cup-and-card trap, but if you’re unfamiliar, it involves lowering a cup over the spider to trap it, then sliding a piece of card beneath to lock it in. You’re then free to carry it away and release it, and that’s all there is to it.
‘The cup-and-card method is one of the safest and most humane ways to remove a spider,’ says Ricky. ‘A clear plastic container is preferable to glass because it is lighter, less likely to cause injury and allows you to see where the spider is throughout the process.’
The best way to approach and trap a spider
For myself, there’s little logic when I try to catch a spider (honestly, I often get my partner to do it). I want the spider out as quickly as possible, but without losing it, so I approach it swiftly but slowly (if there is such a thing) and make a last-second dash to catch it. It probably works about 50% of the time, and if I’m successful, out of the window it goes.
Ricky continues: ‘Approach calmly and avoid sudden movements. Spiders are highly sensitive to vibrations and changes in air movement, so stamping, blowing on them or quickly lowering a container can cause them to run. Moving slowly until the cup is close, then placing it down smoothly and decisively, usually works best.
‘A common mistake is using a cup that is too small and accidentally catching the spider’s legs beneath the rim. People also tend to move extremely slowly during the final few centimetres, giving the spider time to escape.’
So, my technique is roughly in the ballpark, although my dash to the kitchen to grab the cup and opening a window in preparation probably isn’t helping. My last-minute panic as I thrust the cup down isn’t what’s needed either. A calm and confident approach is best, one that’s strategic and won’t harm the spider.
Check out the three spider hotspots if you want to know where to find them.
‘Approaching from directly above or slightly behind is generally easier than coming towards the spider from the front,’ advises Ricky. ‘However, spiders do not always escape in a predictable direction. They will usually move away from the perceived threat or towards the nearest dark edge, crack or piece of furniture. Before approaching, it helps to look at the surrounding area and block any obvious escape routes.’
If it’s in an awkward space, or there’s lots of nooks and crannies nearby for it to take shelter, you’re unlikely to be successful. In this case, it’s better to either wait for it to move or get what you can out of the way with a quick declutter.
Ricky adds that you should take care where spiders are on the walls or ceiling as they’re liable to drop and stresses the importance of being near a flat and accessible surface when you try to catch them.
Where to release a spider
‘If releasing the spider outdoors, choose a sheltered location close to the building, such as beside dense vegetation, beneath a hedge, near a log pile or by a covered outbuilding,’ suggests Ricky. ‘Avoid placing it in the middle of an exposed lawn, particularly during cold, wet or windy weather. Some spiders commonly found inside houses are adapted to indoor conditions, so a sheltered garage, shed or covered area may be more suitable than releasing them into open ground.’
That means chucking spiders out of the window is not for the best. In fact, if the window is often open, they’re more likely to settle nearby and then find their way back in. You’re better off relocating the spider a short distance from your home and finding it an alternate shelter. Your garage or greenhouse could be ideal!
Ricky surmises: ‘Most spiders found in UK homes are not aggressive and will try to escape rather than confront a person. Bites are uncommon and generally occur only when a spider is trapped against the skin or handled directly.’
With that in mind, you needn’t be afraid of spiders. It also helps to remember that spiders are nature’s pest control – they will catch and eat mosquitoes, clothes moths, silverfish and flies. In doing this, they're actually beneficial by limiting the number of pests in your home, so you may want to let them be if they don't bother you.
But, if you are determined to catch and release your spider, the above technique is the way to go. If you don't like getting too close to the spider, spider catchers are also widely available.
