False Widows On The Rise

A number of false widow spiders, which have reached their maximum size and are ready to breed, are entering houses.

16:33 29 September 2015

The number of false widow spiders, the most venomous species in the UK, is set to rise, says expert.

 

The spiders have been in Britain for 130 years and are migrating from the south coast of England to the north for the past 25 years. According to one spider expert, false widows’ mating habits will drive them in people’s home this time of year.

 

Dave Clark, who looks after the spiders at London Zoo, said: “What’s happening is they have reached their maximum size, they are ready to breed, they want to find each other so they accidentally come inside houses.”

 

However, zoologist and TV presenter Tim Cockerill believes the spiders are “slightly less dangerous than a peanut”.

 

“The false widow is not dangerous to humans and can’t cause the types of reactions we see in the press,”

 

 “It’s technically possible people can get an allergic reaction to a spider bite, although extremely unlikely.

 

“I’d say it makes the false widow spider slightly less dangerous than a peanut,” he said.