How to spot them.. and what to do if you’re bitten

■■The females bites are more severe than the males and typically result in intense pain radiating from the bite, along with fever.

■■There have been no reported deaths in the UK resulting from false widow spider bites.

■■There have been a number of alleged incidents where people have had severe reactions and needed hospital treatment.

■■Most bites result in symptoms similar to a bee or wasp sting.

■■If you are bitten by the spider the first thing to do is wash the area with soap and water.

■■A bite spray or antiseptic cream will also help to prevent infection.

■■If your condition deteriorates seek professional medical help.

■■The false widow is a medium sized spider with a round, brown body and cream coloured markings.

■■Its legs are a reddish-orange colour.

■■Females range in size from 9.5 to 14mm while males are 7 to 11mm.

■■The spider’s body and legs will have a glossy appearance.

■■The species closely resembles the black widow spider, aside from its colouring.

■■The spiders’ bites are no more venomous than a bee or wasp sting, experts have said.

■■The Steatoda nobilis (false widow) spider, native to Madeira and the Canary islands, is believed to have arrived on British shores via a cargo transporter before 1879.

■■It is nocturnal and will normally spend the day sleeping in a crack or hole close to its web.

■■False widows like dry, warm environments where they will be unlikely to be disturbed. This is often what brings them into people’s homes.

■■The spiders are most commonly seen in the south of the country, but reported sightings suggest it’s moving northwards.