Help? :(

[gemurr]

Before we begin let me tell you that I'm arachnophobic. =P

Anyway.. A few days ago there was a spider in my bedroom, on the window. I didn't pay much attention and had it removed from my room. The next day, it was there again, in the same place. The same one. So I had it (please don't hurt me) brutally murdered.

But it was there again the next day (today) so it couldn't have been the same one. Then something weird happened. There was another which seemed to come through the gap where our windows are poorly sealed. Then another from the other side. Almost like they were coming to get me. (which I doubt, but still.) My point is, there were about 6 on my window. (and to my horror, one on my bed).

Anyway, I'm not quite brave enough to take a picture, but they seem to have a somewhat grey and black zebra pattern, about 5mm-10mm long, and have what appear to be hairy black legs. They also move very weird, as though they are jumping sometimes.

I live in a built up estate, which is on the edge of a badly overgrown field.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas as to what these are, and why they seem to be in some sort of pack (the possibility of having a nest nearby?)

Also, I have a few insect bites on my ankle, and I'm no expert with spider bites, but is there a possibility that these little things are nipping my while I sleep? Is there something I can do to prevent further bites? Or to get them to stop appearing on my windowsill..?

Thanks (:

Oh, and if you need the area, I'm in NI.

[Venger]

These guys?

photo by jmayfield

Photo by Ian Gray

They're jumping spiders (Salticus scenicus, most likely)

There just active in sunshine - they're not interesting in you at all.
Just block up the hole if it bothers you - they're just hunting for insect prey.
Your bites are from insects - not from these guys (gnats, midges, ticks, fleas all these will bite you for a meal, not so with spiders - their prey are insects.)

They're very friendly and quite cheeky. If you're careful you can feed them aphids with tweezers (or the end of a pencil.)
They are fascinating to watch - you should try it.

[Geoff F]

If they really are jumping, then consider yourself very lucky as you probably have some of the Jumping 'Zebra' Spiders. Absolutely fascinating creatures and totally harmless, unless you are an aphid or other pest.

There are several members of the Jumping Spiders (Salticidae family) in this country. Last year I found one of the Heliophanus species jumping around my greenhouse; eventually it moved outside and did an excellent job of eating greenfly on my broad beans. I'm hoping that I can find some more this year.

Bites around the ankles usually come from fleas. Do you, or a close friend, have a cat or dog?

[gemurr]

Hmm, no to the cat/dog question. But I have been out and about recently, so it's probably some other insect who hates me xD

And yeah, they look pretty much identical to what I'm seeing in my room. The hole is pretty hard to find, so I'm hoping they just decide they want to relocate soon.

I might actually try giving the tweezer thing a go. I need to get over my silly fear.

And I must say, I admire everyone's passion for them on here.

[Venger]

If you do try the tweezer idea, just hold them close to the spider - don't try and stick it in its face. They have very good eyesight and will approach and pounce on their prey.
Think of them as mini lions - they'll stalk their prey and then pounce and kill (which may make you jump! - so perhaps someone else could do it first)