Health & safety bulletin
False Widow Spiders
9th October 2008
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 Gloucester. 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 1980s.
False widow spider nests in cable chamber.
False widow spider
The adult spiders are active between June and November and are rotund, brown with pale markings; the female has a body size of 15mm and the male 10mm.
They are in the same family as the Black widow spider, but are nowhere near as toxic.
The bite from these spiders is very painful, causes considerable swelling and can still be felt several days later. They generally they do not bite humans unless provoked.
If you find a sign or manhole infested with these spiders, or their nests, do not attempt to move them, contact your supervisor.
We would like to thank Gilbarco Veeder-Root for sharing this information.