Anyone else noticed fewer spiders this autumn?

[Collidascope]

I'm usually a nervous wreck September and October but haven't seen one in weeks, and trying to figure out if it's something about the weather this year or if it's just that we had the big vent in our loo sealed up so the bastards can't come through it anymore.

Nope. We are seeing loads more and they are huge because our council stopped cutting grass during lockdown and they were able to grow to massive sizes.

I was expecting loads more this year and have hardly seen any!

I think they're all at mine. You are very welcome

You’re right!! None and September is a nightmare normally. COVID-19/ arachnid connection??

Not seen one of the mahoosive ones yet....still praying 😳

We’ve had two big ones. I can’t work out if that’s us done or if we’ve still got more to come.

I've only seen one and the cat ate it straight away. At 19 she is still a mighty hunter of spiders
Normally by this time there would be loads as I live in the country.
Maybe they all got covid.

Yes but that doesn't surprise me, the berries are on the trees longer than usual in our garden, the wasps and bees are still active and some of our deciduous trees are still totally green so there is obviously plenty of food outside and it's been fairly mild during September. It's normal to see them less by early October anyway so it's not unusual for this time of year - they've done their breeding and don't need to roam around looking for a mate.

they're all with me then.. huge ones everywhere

Not yet. And hardly any butterflies or bumble-bees this summer.

As an arachnologist I can confirm that spider numbers in the UK are down around 70% this year.

We've been expecting this for about the last 10 years because hormone levels in egg samples have been indicating a very very rare event called Mechacoagmentarius. The last time this happened in the UK was around 210-230 AD.

Basically all the spiders are still around, indeed more than in previous years, but they are busy spinning giant underground cocoons. Once inside the cocoons they will join together to make larger spiders (probably between the size of a dog and a horse) which we should start seeing around Christmas.

Exciting times in our lab, I can tell you.

they're all with me then.. huge ones everywhere

Ah, you probably have a nest of cocoons nearby then. I'm very jealous that you'll get to see them first.

I’d like to throw a heavy object at you, @raddledoldmisanthropist
But I’m too busy laughing.

I have seen lots of flying insects that look similar to daddy long leg spiders, but with wings?

@eddiemairswife

Not yet. And hardly any butterflies or bumble-bees this summer.

We've had loads of them in our garden but that's because it's full of butterfly and bee friendly plants.

@Frappuccinofan

I have seen lots of flying insects that look similar to daddy long leg spiders, but with wings?

crane flies.

I have seen lots of flying insects that look similar to daddy long leg spiders, but with wings?

Oooh, that reminds me. I forgot to mention that we are predicting the giant spiders will be able to fly (although there is some debate about whether that will just be the giant scorpians).

@raddledoldmisanthropist

As an arachnologist I can confirm that spider numbers in the UK are down around 70% this year.

We've been expecting this for about the last 10 years because hormone levels in egg samples have been indicating a very very rare event called Mechacoagmentarius. The last time this happened in the UK was around 210-230 AD.

Basically all the spiders are still around, indeed more than in previous years, but they are busy spinning giant underground cocoons. Once inside the cocoons they will join together to make larger spiders (probably between the size of a dog and a horse) which we should start seeing around Christmas.

Exciting times in our lab, I can tell you.

Just to let you know, there have been some early hatchings and they are in my garage.

I’d like to throw a heavy object at you, raddledoldmisanthropist But I’m too busy laughing.

I get that response a lot.

Yeah, actually. I've evicted a few last month, but not seen them in a fair while.

Maybe my spiders are getting the message. They are welcome when they are little, but just like children, when they grow up they need to leave home!

We had loads of bees and butterflies this summer. Only two huge spiders so far in our rural cottage but I gave all the doors, windows and skirting boards a good peppermint oil spray which I'm hoping has done the trick

I've never had so many spiders in my house.
I've had loads of huge ones in the last couple of weeks
It is totally freaking me out.
Every couple of days we have a monster spider popping up somewhere. I absolutely hate it.

Just to let you know, there have been some early hatchings and they are in my garage.

That's much earlier than expected. I'm assuming no larger than a small cat?

Just be careful because, obviously, they will be much more venomous when joined together.

Can they fly?

Every couple of days we have a monster spider popping up somewhere. I absolutely hate it.

Oh, you'll laugh that you thought they were monsters come Christmas.

@raddledoldmisanthropist

I have seen lots of flying insects that look similar to daddy long leg spiders, but with wings?

Oooh, that reminds me. I forgot to mention that we are predicting the giant spiders will be able to fly (although there is some debate about whether that will just be the giant scorpians).

The caretaker at your lab notified me that he has been informed that the new breed have a poor immune system and can catch covid. Consequently I have instructed him that he will have to triple lock the lab doors and leave all the staff inside.

Have a lovely winter.