Londoners are paying strangers up to £110 to deal with spiders in their homes

For most Londoners, finding a giant spider in the bathroom is enough to send them running for the nearest exit. But some are taking things a step further – and paying complete strangers to deal with the problem.

New figures from local services marketplace Airtasker reveal that spider-related jobs have risen by 66% year-on-year, with demand during the busiest summer month soaring by 137% compared with the same period last year.

And it seems Londoners are willing to part with a surprising amount of cash to avoid coming face to face with an eight-legged houseguest.

In Holloway, north London, one resident offered £110 for someone to clean their balcony, with one very specific requirement: they must be "not afraid of spiders and spider webs".

Over in Maida Vale, another Londoner advertised a £100 job involving spider removal, bathroom and bedroom cleaning, and packing clothes.

Meanwhile, a Walworth resident offered £40 for someone to "get rid of any spiders" and fill holes and gaps around their property, while a £50 job in Croham Hurst involved sealing cracks around skirting boards and doors.

It might sound extreme, but with nearly a third of Brits admitting they're frightened of encountering a spider at home, there's clearly a market for people willing to do the dirty work.

Why are there so many spiders around at this time of year?

If you've noticed more spiders scuttling across your living room floor recently, you're not imagining things.

Autumn is prime time for spider sightings in British homes, as male house spiders venture out from their usual hiding places in search of a mate.

Research suggests more than 80% of house spiders spotted during the autumn peak are male, and some of the larger species found in UK homes can have a leg span of up to 12cm.

While most are harmless, that doesn't make finding one lurking behind the sofa any less unsettling.

Meet the man making money from London's spider problem

For 47-year-old Graham Cannon, however, spiders are nothing to be frightened of.

While plenty of people would rather shut the door and pretend they hadn't seen anything, Graham is happy to get stuck in.

He's turned other people's fear of creepy crawlies into an opportunity to earn extra cash through Airtasker, taking on spider-removal jobs that others would rather avoid.

And with demand for spider-related help on the rise, it's not just catching the creatures that's keeping people busy.

Londoners are also looking for help clearing webs, cleaning spider-filled spaces and sealing up gaps around their homes in the hope of keeping unwanted visitors out.

For anyone who doesn't mind getting up close and personal with a house spider, it could be an unusual way to make some extra money.

How to keep spiders out of your home

Of course, not everyone wants to pay someone to tackle their spider problem.

Graham has shared a few simple tips for dealing with the eight-legged visitors yourself.

Try the glass-and-card trick

It's an old favourite for a reason. Place a glass or container over the spider, carefully slide a piece of card underneath and carry it to a sheltered spot outside. Graham also recommends wearing gloves.

Check for gaps around doors and windows

Spiders can find their way inside through small openings, so it's worth checking around window frames, doorways and skirting boards. Sealing up cracks and gaps could help reduce the number making their way indoors.

Keep clutter under control

Dark, undisturbed corners make ideal hiding places for spiders. Regularly hoovering behind furniture, inside cupboards and around skirting boards can help make your home less inviting.

Skip the insecticides

Most house spiders found in the UK are harmless, so there's rarely a need to reach for chemical sprays. Graham suggests trying a lemon-and-water spray around areas where spiders have been spotted, although there's limited scientific evidence that it reliably deters them.

And if all else fails? Judging by the latest figures, there's a good chance someone in London will happily take the spider off your hands – for the right price.