Pest controller finds wall in own house infested with venomous spiders

A pest controller has captured footage showing how the walls of his house are infested with hundreds of venomous spiders with 'glowing green' fangs.

Dad-of-two Grant Wood says that when he discovered the tube web spiders in his home in Bracknell, Northamptonshire, a year ago there were around 100 but they have since quadrupled in numbers.

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The 40-year-old filmed the arachnids last week to show others the 'scary' creatures that he compares to the terrifying spiders seen in the Harry Potter franchise after one jumped on his head.

In the hair-raising video, the giant creepy-crawlies can be seen lurking in burrows in the wall and darting out to bite a twig that he pokes them out.

The irony that so many of the 'mini tarantulas' have chosen a pest controller's house to infest is not lost on Grant, who says it is 'rare' to see this many of the biting beasts.

Grant said: "Most people's reaction to seeing them is, 'f*** that', everyone has been quite shocked by it.

"A lot of people can't believe they are actually a UK spider. They are like a mini tarantula.

"The spiders aren't aggressive but other people have definitely been scared.

"Tube webs like being outside and they don't tend to move from where they are. It is quite a rarity to have this many. I was shocked when I saw them.

"They don't scare me personally. I've always been interested in spiders. However, about two weeks ago one jumped on my head. I did a bit of a Kung Fu dance when it happened.

"They aren't trying to hurt you but if you got bit by a tube web you would know about it. It would probably be more painful than a wasp sting.

"They hide away so people don't get to see them. Their fangs glow green. When you walk past them with a torch and it shines in their eyes it is like little bits of diamonds looking at you.

"Spiders are one of nature's best pest controllers, perhaps that's why I get along with them so well."

The Segestria florentina, also known as a tube web spider, is one of the largest spiders in Britain, with a body that can reach lengths of 2.2cm.

The name tube web comes from their tubular web which they spin into a crack or crevice. These spiders have a black body and often have a green shine on their fangs.

Their bite has been described as feeling similar to a bee sting or injection and the pain can last for several hours.

The venom contains two neurotoxins and one insecticide.

Grant said: "When I first saw them, there was easily more than a hundred but they have quadrupled in numbers now.

"It seems to be a big year for spiders. I seem to have a knack for finding them.

"This is the time of year where they tend to come into the house. Most people don't realise how fast tube webs are.

"My oldest child [Alfie, 12] comes with me to find them. They [Alfie and Finley, three] aren't scared."

They're braver than us then...