Every autumn, spiders can be found roaming around our homes. This is nothing new. But this year, there are likely to be more of them!
They are coming to seek refuge in our homes.
According to researchers, this is due to global warming, which has provided them with a spring and summer particularly rich in food and warmth. As a result, they have reached maturity earlier and are already in full swing.
According to David Gee, professor of zoology at the University of Derby (BBC), the males are in reproduction mode. And when it comes to romantic conquest, that means… confrontation. Some encounter each other, chase each other away and end up seeking refuge elsewhere. That’s where they find themselves in our homes! In short, there’s no need to panic: if they come in, it’s not for us, but to escape their rivals.
Our allies despite everything
Spiders play a valuable role: they hunt flies, mosquitoes and other small pests that invade our homes. As Le Parisien Jardin points out, they contribute to a natural balance that we would be wrong to neglect.
How can we coexist without shuddering?
Fortunately, there are natural ways to keep them away without killing them: strong smells (such as lavender, mint or lemongrass) can be effective. In Belgium, most spiders are completely harmless to humans: they prefer to flee rather than bite. Although some species are impressive in size, none are really dangerous or aggressive in our country. In other words, there’s no need to grab a broom as if you were in a horror film.
