SIGHTINGS of a venomous spider species that are migrating to the region are on the increase.
The Woodlouse Spider, which has a round red body and looks like a baked bean, has a giant jaw and is one of the few species in the UK that can bite humans.
The spider, from Europe, has traditionally resided in the southern part of England but due to global warming started to move further north ten years ago.
Now, reports have been pouring in across Cheshire and North Wales of concerned people who have spotted the spider.
Experts say that although the spider's bite can be painful its venom is not harmful to humans.
Their jaws are enlarged to enable them to pierce the hard shell of the woodlouse, its main source of food.
The spiders can be anywhere from 9-15mm long and have a dark red thorax and legs, while their abdomen is a creamy yellow-brown.
They are fairly common across Britain but are locally distributed. They are also nocturnal and do not build webs. During the day, they rest in a silken cell.
General manager at Liverpool-based The BugWorld Experience, Jenny Dobson, recommended people who find the spider in their homes not to touch it.
“The Woodlouse Spider is found mainly under logs in warm places, usually anywhere where woodlice might be found as they feed almost exclusively on them,” she said.
“However, here at the BugWorld Experience we are finding more and more people in the North West are finding them in their houses and gardens and calling us due to their red body which is often associated with more dangerous species.
" If you do find one of these spiders and are concerned as to what to do then call us as we are happy to help.”
This spider is not protected in the UK. For more information visit www.bugworldexperience.co.uk/