False Widow Spiders: Facts, Bites and What to Do

False widow spiders have a reputation far bigger than their behaviour. Headlines make them sound alarming, yet they are shy spiders that bite only when pressed against skin or trapped.

Here are the facts, written plainly, along with sensible steps if you think you have found one.

What a false widow looks like

The most commonly discussed species in the UK has a rounded, glossy, brown to purplish-black abdomen, often with pale, skull-like or cream markings, and reddish-brown legs. Females are larger than males.

Many other spiders are mistaken for them, including harmless ones. If you cannot be sure, photograph it from a safe distance and do not handle it.

Size can mislead, since juveniles are far smaller and paler than adults, and colour varies a little between spiders of the same species.

Where they live

False widows like sheltered, dry places: window frames, the corners of sheds and garages, fence panels, outbuildings and the edges of walls. They spin untidy, tangled webs rather than neat orbs.

They can come indoors too, and are sometimes found in conservatories, lofts, garages and behind outdoor furniture. Southern England has long been associated with them, which includes Essex.

Like most spiders, they eat other insects, and a web in a quiet corner of a shed often says more about the insects there than about the house.

• Untidy, tangled webs in corners
• Window frames and door frames
• Sheds, garages and fence panels
• Piles of stored items outdoors

Bites: what is known

A bite is uncommon, and usually happens when a spider is trapped against skin, for example in clothing, gardening gloves or bedding. Most are described as feeling like a wasp or bee sting, with local redness, swelling and pain that settle over a few days.

Occasionally, people have stronger reactions. Because everyone reacts differently, this is not a place for guesswork.

If you are bitten

Wash the area with soap and water and apply a cold compress. Try not to scratch. Speak to a pharmacist for advice on the symptoms.

If the area becomes increasingly painful, swollen, spreads, or you feel unwell, speak to your GP or call NHS 111 promptly, and seek urgent help if you have trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat. Do not rely on websites for medical advice.

What to do about them

Do not poke at webs with bare hands. Wear gloves when moving garden items, and shake out gloves, shoes and stored clothing before use. Moving a spider outside with a cup and card is fine if you feel confident.

If you are finding them repeatedly, especially around doors, children's play areas or commercial premises, Essex Pest Solutions can inspect and advise on spider control. Treatment depends on what is found.

Children should be taught not to pick up spiders, and pets that sniff around webs are worth watching, though a problem is unlikely. If you are worried about a pet, speak to a vet.

Frequently asked questions