Page 1406 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 521

23 June 2016

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.

There have been several reported
serious injuries recently caused by
these spiders, and a bite from a false
widow spider caused a plumber to
state he felt like he was ‘struck by
lightning’ after false widow spider
bite. Despite being prescribed
antibiotics, a large section of skin
across his neck turned black around the bite and began peeling off.

See media reports:

https://onthetoolsshop.com/blogs/news/117505029-plumber-felt-like-he-was-struck-by-lightning-after-false-
widow-spider-bite

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3463162/Man-finds-FOUR-false-widow-spiders-lurking-kitchen.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/13/false-widow-spider-infestation-closes-two-london-primary-
schools

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.