Spiders are the most feared pest, although people increasingly have phobias about hornets, rats and wasps, a new study has revealed.

Spiders topped a “fear index”, with two-thirds of those questioned saying they were spooked by them, a survey of 2,000 adults by home emergency firm HomeServe found.

Hornets and rats were closely behind, with foxes sneaking into the top 10 ahead of mice, fleas, slugs and snails, while moths, flies and ants were the least feared.

Most of those polled believed there had been an explosion in the rat population in their areas over the past decade, although people also said they had noticed an increase in in the number of wasps, foxes and mice.

Cath Rees, contractor network director of HomeServe, said: “British homeowners are rightly becoming more concerned about wasp and hornet nests on their property than harmless house spiders.

“Dealing with stinging insects can be very dangerous, especially if you have to destroy a nest. Hornets are generally not as aggressive as wasps, but they will definitely sting if they are looking to protect the nest.”