How Deadly is the False Widow Spider?
The False Widow Spider (Steatoda Nobilis)
A school was shut late last year because it became home to a poisonousness spider. The head teacher decided to be safe rather than sorry, and who could blame him? The school was only closed for one day, long enough for it to be fumigated.
The False Widow Spider is on the increase
People are reporting more sightings of this insect in recent years. They began expanding in UK in the 1980’s, stowing away in crates and banana boxes from the Canary Islands.
Should we be alarmed?
People seem to associate the word ‘widow’ with ‘death,’ but the reality is, the False Widow Spider is very slow moving and far from aggressive (if left alone.)
We also become frightened when we hear the word ‘widow’ and ‘spider’ in the same sentence. That’s because the False Widow’s first cousin is the Black Widow.
We are correct to be alarmed about the Black Widow, as this is a seriously dangerous spider that resides in the US.
Not one person has ever died in the UK from a False Widow bite
Do not handle them
Nobody wants to be bitten or stung by any insect, but if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. If a spider falls down the inside of your clothing, they will more than likely bite you, but you have to believe us @ Pest Control Kent when we tell you that they don’t want to be trapped in your clothes any more than you want them to.
If you have a fascinating desire to touch one of these spiders, (which we do not recommend) you could let it crawl over your hand. It will be harmless enough, as long as you don’t close your hand over it or cause it stress in any way.
Why on the increase?
The weather conditions in the UK are to blame. Our ever changing climate has been the cause of a rise in various kinds of insects.
The media’s voice of doom
The media are always looking for a story, but are they scaremongering?
Yes and no.
Footballer operated on after bitten by a False Widow Spider
It was reported that a footballer had to have an operation last year to cut out the venom of a False Widow Spider. Seeing his wounds and reading about the pain he was in would definitely rule out any scaremongering.
Man nearly dies from spider bite in Kent
There was another report of a man in Bromley, whose injuries were so bad, he thought he was going to have his leg amputated. The poison spread throughout his body, nearly shutting down his organs. He took a year off work to recover and still walks with a limp.
Be on guard
I hope Kent Pest Control haven’t made too light of this spider, as it can cause pain alongside horrific injuries if you do happen to be bitten.
Sometimes we can just be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
If you have any questions or would like to know more about how to keep safe in the summer, please call Kent Pest Control for an informed chat.
