Keep Windows Closed: False Widow Spiders on the Move in the UK
Residents are being urged to keep their windows shut as the UK’s most venomous spider, the False Widow,
enters peak mating season. Dr. Tom Elwood, a leading arachnologist,
warns that late August through early September is when “male spiders begin to roam… on the hunt for mates,”
often entering homes through “open windows, cracks in walls, air vents, and even bathroom drains.”
Originally from the Canary Islands, the species has adapted to the UK’s climate and is spreading north due to warmer winters.
“These spiders are no longer an anomaly in the UK,” Dr. Elwood says.
“They’ve become a permanent resident.”
False Widow bites are rarely dangerous but can cause pain, swelling, or flu-like symptoms.
Prevention is key—keep homes clean, seal gaps, trim vegetation, and use natural repellents.
Dr. Elwood’s advice: “Stay calm… they’re just looking for warmth, mates, and shelter.”
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