Planning a Sunday afternoon hike? Then you might want to watch out for our eight-legged friends, because the advice from the experts is that there are more spiders in Ireland than ever before – and they’re here to stay.
The increase can be attributed to our good summer, and mild September. Add to that the fact that this time of the year is the mating season for spiders, and you have a recipe for more creepy crawlies – and more bites.
Recently, Cork woman Julie Ann Fitzgerald found herself in excruciating pain when her leg swelled up following a spider bite. After an initial scare, she is being treated with antibiotics and steroids.
But you shouldn’t worry too much; you’re more likely to be bitten by a dog than a spider, even if they do like our new mild weather as much as we do.