Page 1030 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 381

24 October 2013

False Widow Spiders

Following recent media reports on the increased presence of false widow spiders in the UK, we are re-
issuing the below bulletin that first appeared as bulletin 110 (http://www.xmostrata.com/health/2008-10-
09.php).

There have been several reported serious injuries recently caused by these spiders, and a bite from a
false widow spider almost resulted in a decorator losing his leg when he disturbed a nest in a school he
was renovating. Fortunately, medical staff saved his leg, but will now have to undergo six months of
specialist physiotherapy.

See media reports:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2453833/Decorator-nearly-loses-leg-bite-UKs-poisonous-spider.html
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/false-widow-spider-ten-facts-2362159
http://www.itn.co.uk/And%20Finally/87142/false-widow-spider-bites--should-we-be-worried-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-24470023

False widow spiders (Steatoda nobilis) are becoming more widespread throughout the
South and East of England, especially the coastal regions and Surrey. Reports have been
made of sightings as far north as Yorkshire. They are originally from the Canary Islands
and Madeira, and were first identified in the UK in 1879, but did not become established
until the 1980’s.

Spider nests in a cable chamber (not false widow egg sacs).