false widow spider

ormondsview · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 5:48 am Post subject: false widow spider

Just yesterday I knocked off a lump on my coat when I came in the door and it thumped onto the ground and made to crawl away. Huge yellow body with a scull like cross on its back. Had I touched it or worse if it bit me would I get the infection from it possibly leading to an amputation? Oh yes, BBC today said that an infestation of false widow spiders forced a school closing.
That's why it's vital to wear garden gloves if your hands are in the plants area pulling weeds. These things don't go out of their way to stalk you and attack but do sting when you clutch at them.
Has anyone else spotted these spiders? Are they common this time of year or is this an exotic import coming from climate change?

Greengage · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 5:25 pm Post subject:

They are now in Ireland and are believed to have been introduced through the importation of pet foods.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/pet-shop-owner-false-widows-coming-to-ireland-in-pet-food-29673687.html

ormondsview · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 5:49 pm Post subject: pic of spider

Thanks for that. Here is the pic of the spider waiting on the wall for me to keep the door open so it can leap in. I think it may not be as the tv said as its marking is white not black. [img][/img]

Greengage · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:35 pm Post subject:

I dont know if that is it or not the pic is not very clear, A while ago the kids got every excited about a large spider similar to that but it was a spider eating a ladybird false alarm here,

tippben · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 1:02 am Post subject:

That is not a false widow. Don't worry. They look like this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-24623652

tippben · Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 11:36 am Post subject:

Having squinted thoroughly, I reckon your big spider is a common "garden" or "cross" spider, due to the white markings on the back and legs. They are absolutely harmless. Yours is a female, full of eggs. She'll lay eggs, cover them with silk, and die. The babies will hatch in spring. Most will become bird food, and the rest will help keep down any flying pests. Only 0.01% will ever live long enough to grow to the size of your little lass.

ormondsview · Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 6:05 am Post subject: fall spiders

Thanks for the full report on this spider and clearing its name of being dangerous. I'm not the only one with poor pics. BBC had two entirely different looking things. Insects are a sign of life in the garden and always entertainment so I'd never be thinking to rid them.