How Common Are False Widow Spiders in the UK?
WouterFalse widow spiders are one of the most feared spiders in Britain. Having recently been spotted in London, Kent and Skegness, Lincolnshire, there’s been a spate of reports of bites. They are rarely found in the north or east of the country. They are known to live in dark, cool places. They like to hunt flying insects. They have a web to catch their prey. They are usually around half an inch long.
There are three species of false widows that are likely to be found in homes. These include the rabbit hutch spider, the cupboard spider and the noble false widow. They all have distinctive markings on their abdomens. The females have a shiny abdomen, while the males have a smaller, rounded abdomen.
The false widow spider is considered the most dangerous of the UK’s venomous spiders. They are most common in autumn. They are also more common during mild winters.
The first known record of a noble false widow in the UK was in 1879. It was found in southern England, but has since spread to the rest of the country. They are generally found on south-facing walls.
The British Pest Control Association recommends sealing harbourage points to reduce the chances of contact with spiders. They are also recommended to vacuum spider webs and use insecticidal sprays to kill spider prey.
False widow spiders are not native to the UK. They were accidentally introduced into the country over 100 years ago.
