I think I spotted a false widow spider in my garden and now I’m worried about being bitten. Are there any precautions that I should take?
Miriam K, Dublin
Not native to Ireland, the first official sighting of the false widow spider (Steatoda nobilis) was recorded in the late 1990s in Bray, County Wicklow. It has since become one of the most common spider species in many parts of this country, due in part to its ability to quickly reproduce in large numbers as well as its inclination to disperse widely once the young spiders hatch from the egg sacs. Porches, conservatories, garden sheds, outbuildings, polytunnels and glasshouses are favourite haunts, as are houses, especially the secluded, elevated corners of window frames, roof eaves, down pipes and gutters that offer shelter and protection.
Surprisingly small (10mm-15mm for the female, roughly a third to half that for the male) this spider has a round, shiny, black or brown body usually distinguished by a narrow crescent-shaped band around the abdomen.
RM Block
Despite its scary reputation, the false widow spider is a non-aggressive species that will only bite if it feels directly threatened, usually when it’s forced into close contact and has no easy means of escape. Its venomous bite is typically no more painful than a bee or wasp sting, causing localised pain and swelling, although in a very small number of cases the reaction can be more severe and require medical treatment. The male spider is most likely to bite, with bites most likely at this time of year when they leave their nests in active search of a mate.
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In terms of taking suitable precautions, make a habit of always checking garden boots, hats and gloves for stowaway spiders before putting them on. If you do suspect that you’ve been bitten by one, quickly wash the area of the bite carefully with warm, soapy water, then apply an icepack to reduce the swelling and put a plaster on it to keep it clean. If the swelling and pain don’t subside within twenty-four hours or are accompanied by nausea or dizziness, see your doctor.
