Shoppers in the UK are being advised to check their bananas when they buy them in October - for a frightening reason worthy of any Halloween story.
The seemingly innocuous bunch of bananas in your kitchen might be harbouring an alarming secret due to the balmy climates where they grow and the typical absence of pesticides during cultivation, owing to a banana's natural peel that acts as a barrier to bugs.
It's the stuff of nightmares for arachnophones, but lurking in any bunch could be a monstrous .
Thanks to many banana plantations practicing organic farming and eschewing chemical pesticides, its possible, though rare, to come across uninvited guests hitching a ride on your bananas all the way to the UK.
Experts at the National Centre for Reptile Welfare warn: "Spiders and other invertebrates may sometimes be found in bunches of bananas, with small lizards and amphibians also being encountered."
These freeloading spiders aren't your garden-variety British species; they could be venomous and foreign.
The Centre advises further: "Whilst it is extremely unlikely that any stowaways are harmful to you or your pets, it is possible so always use caution. If you find a spider or other animal DO NOT TOUCH IT. If the bananas or fruit are already bagged then place this into another plastic bag such as a bin liner for example, or into a plastic box with a secure lid."
And there's a crucial legal aspect to consider; the NCRW advises: "Contact the NCRW and we will advise you on what to do next. It is a legal requirement that you report the findings to someone, as there are legal implications for vertebrates under the Animal Welfare Act."
It's also possible that you might find a spider's egg sac on your bananas instead of a fully grown stowaway. It might resemble a white, fluffy splodge akin to candy floss.
To safely dispose of these arachnid offspring, place the eggs into a simple sandwich bag and then freeze for a full 24 hours to ensure they're killed off.
While the creepy crawlies on your bananas likely pose no threat, caution is still key, say experts at the NCRW. They aim to debunk common media myths, noting, "The story often portrayed in the media that these are Brazilian Wandering Spiders is grossly misleading, it is in fact extremely rare that this is the case. It is, however, important not to take any risks."
