The 10 unsettling animals secretly living in your home

BBC Countryfile said: "Our homes may seem like places separate from the natural world, but look a little closer and you'll discover they're alive with hidden life.

"Most of these miniature lodgers are harmless, even if they seem a little unsettling."

Native wild animals in the UK

The 10 'unsettling' animals secretly living in your home

Silverfish

Silverfish are "silvery insects" and are usually drawn to dark, damp spots, such as bathrooms and basements.

Silverfish will cause damage to your belongings if left unchecked. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) They feed on things like paper and wallpaper paste.

BBC Countryfile added: "While they won’t harm you, they can cause damage to your belongings if left unchecked."

Booklice

Booklice thrive in humid areas, according to the experts at the BBC, and feed on:

• Mold
• Fungi
• Organic material found in old books and wallpaper

While harmless to humans, booklice can become a nuisance if they find a steady food source, Countryfile added.

Booklice are harmless to humans. (Image: Getty Images)

Bed bugs

Bed bugs are the "experts" when it come to hiding, according to BBC Countryfile.

It adds: "Bed bugs prefer mattresses, bed frames and headboards, emerging at night to feed on human blood.

"They leave itchy bites as their calling card, and a small infestation can quickly grow if unnoticed."

• How to get rid of bed bugs - the 65p 'home remedy' and other expert tips

Fungus gnats

Fungus gnats are "tiny flies that appear around houseplants" as they are drawn to moist soil, BBC Countryfile explains.

"While they don’t bite or harm humans, their larvae feed on decaying organic matter and can sometimes damage plant roots," the experts continued.

Fungus gnats are tiny flies that appear around houseplants. (Image: Getty Images)

House mice

BBC Countryfile said house mice are "among the most common creatures secretly living indoors".

"These small rodents slip through tiny cracks in search of food and warmth, nesting behind walls or in cluttered spaces."

• Homeowners are being urged to try this 5p test to keep rats and mice away

Carpet beetles

Carpet beetles are commonly found in homes with natural fabrics, and will hide in undisturbed places like attics or under heavy furniture.

"Their larvae feed on wool, silk and other fibres, often going unnoticed until the damage is done," BBC Countryfile said.

Carpet beetles are commonly found in homes with natural fabrics. (Image: Getty Images)

House spiders

Though their webs may not be to your taste, spiders are "nature’s pest control, doing more good than harm", the experts at the BBC said.

Spiders can help to "keep insect populations down".

There are 22 spiders common to the UK that you are likely to find in your home.

Thankfully, most of them are "completely harmless" to humans.

Bats

"Sometimes, a small bat might take up residence in your attic, seeking warmth and safety," BBC Countryfile explains.

"Bats are shy creatures and pose no harm to people, but their droppings (guano) can build up over time."

Clothes moths

These "tiny" moths often go undetected until you discover what they've done to your clothes - leaving small holes in your favourite woollen or silk garments.

These insects are often found in dark, undisturbed spaces such as wardrobes, where their larvae can feast on natural fibres.

House dust mites are invisible to the naked eye. (Image: Getty Images)

House dust mites

Dust mites are "invisible to the naked eye", according to BBC Countryfile, and feed on dead skin cells.

RECOMMENDED READING:

• Biting bug spotted in the UK for first time in 18 years sparks 'serious concern'
• How to get rid of maggots in your bin? Experts share their top tips

You will usually find them in:

• Bedding
• Carpet
• Furniture

The experts at the BBC added: "They’re generally harmless but can aggravate allergies or asthma with their waste.

"Almost impossible to detect without a microscope, these little mites are constant but unseen housemates."