Keep Your Windows Closed: UK Experts Warn of Rising False Widow Spider Sightings
Residents across the United Kingdom are being urged to stay alert as False Widow spiders enter their peak mating season. Experts say this is the time when the species becomes most active, often venturing indoors through open windows, vents, and cracks in search of mates.
A Seasonal Surge That Demands Awareness
Dr. Tom Elwood, a leading arachnologist who has studied the False Widow for more than a decade, explains:
“August through early September is when male spiders begin roaming. They’re searching for mates and may wander inside through any small opening.”
The False Widow (Steatoda nobilis), often mistaken for the more dangerous Black Widow, has lived in the UK for over a century. Its bite is rarely serious, but it can cause mild pain or irritation similar to a wasp sting. The species has adapted well to Britain’s milder climate and is now common in homes, garages, and sheds—particularly during warmer months.
Climate Change and Urban Habitats
Once confined to southern coastal towns, False Widows have steadily spread northward, aided by milder winters and warmer summers. “They’re here to stay,” Dr. Elwood notes. “But with a little knowledge and preparation, people can easily avoid unnecessary fear or bites.”
Continue reading on the next page…