10 spiders found in homes in Lancashire and how painful their bites are

It's that time of year when we welcome, or not, an array of eight-legged creatures into our homes.
Some of the spiders found in Lancashire homesSome of the spiders found in Lancashire homes
Some of the spiders found in Lancashire homes

But do you know your Giant House-Spiders from your Daddy Long Legs?

Here's a round up of the top 10 house spiders to look out for across Lancashire. So if you don't like spiders, look away now...

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Some of the spiders found in Lancashire homesSome of the spiders found in Lancashire homes
Some of the spiders found in Lancashire homes
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2. Zebra Jumping SpiderSize: Up to 8mmAppearance: Distinctive white and black markings.Habitat: Found on external walls, as well as indoors, where they will enter through open doors and windows.Does it bite? Yes, but like most spiders are more likely to run away from larger prey.

3. Cupboard Spider (Steatoda grossa)Size: Up to 10mmAppearance: Can vary slightly from dark purple, to brown to black.Habitat: As the name suggests, usually found in cupboards inside out buildings and houses.Do they bite? Yes, but they are not usually aggressive and the bites themselves have minor symptoms.

4. Daddy Long LegsSize: Do vary in size, but can reach up to 45mmHabitat: Lives in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, caves, and wetlands.Appearance: Bodies are round or oval in shape, and of course have trademark long legs.Does it bite? Rumoured to be the most venomous invertebrates in our houses, there are actually no cases of the spider biting a human and causing long-lasting damage.

5. Money SpiderSize: Smallest in the UK growing no more than 5mmAppearance: In most cases they have grey or black bodies, although some do have distinctive markings.Habitat: Usually found in low growing vegetation and piles of leaves.Does it bite? These spiders are considered so harmless to humans it is believed if such a spider is seen running on you, it will bring with it financial fortune. We'll let you decide if that's good luck...

Tube web spiders, which have a painful bite lasting several hours. Photo: PATube web spiders, which have a painful bite lasting several hours. Photo: PA
Tube web spiders, which have a painful bite lasting several hours. Photo: PA
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6. Lace Web SpiderSize: Up to 12mmHabitat: Common and widespread throughout the UK, although less so in the far north. Usually found on outdoor walls and fencing.Appearance: Brown with yellow markings in the abdomen.Does it bite? Yes, bites are reported to be painful but symptoms usually ease off after 12 hours.

7. Missing Sector OrbSize: Up to 7mmAppearance: A silver-grey coloured abdomen with a brown oak leaf pattern on the back.Habitat: Windowsills.Does it bite? No, it isn’t usually harmful to humans.

8. False Widow SpiderSize: 20mmAppearance: Dark brown with a bulbous abdomen.Habitat: They love conservatories, window frames, porches, lofts and garages, and tend to live beneath kitchen appliances and cupboards.Does it bite? Often referred to as ' Britain's most venomous spider', female False Widow Spiders are known to have bitten humans, although they are not usually aggressive and attacks are rare.

9. Cardinal SpiderSize: Largest spider in the UK, growing up to 14cmAppearance: Reddish brown, but young spiders can be much paler up to their last moult.Habitat: Lives mostly in buildings or walls.Does it bite? Bites are rare, and painless. Legend has it that Cardinal Thomas Woolsey was terrified by this species at Hampton Court back in the 16th century.

Daddy long legs, which are rumoured to be the most venomous spider in UK homes - but there are no known cases of bites causing lasting harm. Photo: PADaddy long legs, which are rumoured to be the most venomous spider in UK homes - but there are no known cases of bites causing lasting harm. Photo: PA
Daddy long legs, which are rumoured to be the most venomous spider in UK homes - but there are no known cases of bites causing lasting harm. Photo: PA
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10. Tube Web SpidersSize: Up to 23mmAppearance: Has six eyes arranged in three groups of two, with an iridescent green jaw.Habitat: Under stones or logs, and in holes in walls, trees and wooden fencesDoes it bite? Yes, this spider has a painful bite, with a sensation lasting several hours.

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