How do I exterminate an infestation of spiders?

Question

I live in UK. I entered my garage (July 2008) and found it infested with 1000s and 1000s of Cellar Spiders Pholcus phalangioides. The weather has been warm and damp so ideal conditions for breeding - but on this scale? In UK? They had come from outside into my cellar and then transferred in boxes of bricabrac to the garage. But I wasn't prepared whe I saw so many of them! The babies, tiny white almost transparent, had made their own nurseries on every beam and corner - even down the walls and behind every box and item. The adults ranged from half an inch across (including legs) and grey or beige to almost two inches with black bodies looking almost as fat as a black widow spider. I felt their webs on my arms crisscrossed in the air. I vaccuumed them from the beams and as I did they dropped on me and I swear I felt slight burning sensations on my arms in the process although I doubt if I was bitten. Do they spit venom? I ditched my clothes and dived into a hot bath. What do I do now?

Answer 1

They are protection against harmful insects and other spiders (see that in WIKIPEDIA). Just remove most of them with a vacuum cleaner.

Answer 2

oh my goodness, this is so scarey!  are you serious.  have you not read the book about spiders???

i would move out, dont go near the garage.  sell the house etc.

just run.....i hope you can run fast enough against all those legs......ergh.....its making my toes curl just thinking of it.....ergh.....run

Answer 3

I hate Spiders too. Spray them with whatever "DemonMax" has in it. I've used it in the U.S., but not sure what you can get in the U.K. that contains the same formula.

Answer 4

Nope dont worry you wont get poisoned if youre in good ol blighty.  Thats one thing we`ve got going for us.  Hire a professional exterminator now!

Answer 5

Shame, that you felt you had to do that.

Answer 6

Tell the local Daleks that they are inferior beings. They'll be only too glad to help you.

Answer 7

my suggestion would be to get a weed burner and flame them or pour boiling kettle water over them or you could put down some pest killer.