Woman finds massive spider with 'big teeth' at her home in Kent

A mum in Kent was horrified when a mouse-sized spider ran across the floor as she was unpacking boxes at her new home in Dymchurch.

Carley Tapsell says the four-inch spider jumped out of nowhere.

See also: 12 spiders you're right to be scared of

She told the Daily Mail: "It's really big. I have never seen a spider so big. I was going through my cardboard boxes and it was just there."

Ms Tapsell put it in a lunchbox as she waited for her husband to return home and release it outside.

"It's got quite big teeth," she said. "My three-year-old son is here and he thinks it is fascinating and amazing."

Spider specialist Stuart Hine told the Daily Mirror: "They can give you a nip if you pick them up, but they are not harmful to humans."

Earlier this month, it was reported that the wet spring and balmy summer has boosted the number of giant house spiders in the UK.

And the slightly scary news is they're now looking for a warm, dry place to mate - and each female gives birth to at least 60 spiderlings at time.

Dr Claire Rind, a neurobiologist from Newcastle University, said: "The males are on the hunt for females, and after a wet spring and lovely summer there are more insects around, which provide food for the Giant House Spiders, which have grown quicker and bigger.

"Some could have leg spans the size of a tiny mouse, though their bodies are actually quite small – I've some big spiders the size of a rat and their bodies are huge by comparison."

"But I think the fact that they are very leggy is what people don't like."

Forgot that spring clean? Now's the time to do it, because Dr Rind says there's a simple way to keep them at bay - dusting.

Speaking to the Chronicle Live, she added: "Males sometimes sample the silk that females leave behind, tasting it to see if it is from the same species, and if it is following them - so it's a good reason to dust."

And if you do come across them, don't forget they are actually harmless, and should be removed kindly.

Claire added: "Use a jam jar and a postcard to take the spider outside. There's really no need to fear them."