BUSINESS has boomed for one Orpington shop since News Shopper wrote about the false widow spider last week.

Matt Odlum, who opened Orpington Reptiles in the High Street on September 9, has seen sales of pest controller Ardap go through the roof.

The 39-year-old has sold more than 35 of the tins in the space of a week and says the customers are still flocking to the shop.

He said: “I have got people that are coming in absolutely petrified.

“Some people have come in saying ‘is it you that let them go?’

“They have been around for ages but are coming out now it is the spider season, people are finding them everywhere.

“I have had five people in here this morning alone. One woman found one in her bath.”

It is recommended you put the spray, which is not toxic to other animals, around windowsills and in areas behind radiators.

Mr Odlum added: “This is great stuff – this stuff works.

“I’m definitely taking a couple of the tins home with me as well, it’s a no-brainer.”