ARE THERE ANY DANGEROUS SPIDERS IN THE UK?
There are around 650 species of spider in the UK, ranging from those with a leg span of just a couple of millimetres, to the 12cm leg span of the cardinal spider. Spiders are predators, and they use an impressive pair of fangs to catch prey and to introduce venom. All spiders have fangs, but not all spiders have fangs that are able to pierce human skin. Consequently, there are relatively few UK species that can bite us in any meaningful way.
The venom from most of the handful of UK species that can bite is less concerning than the puncture wound the bite causes. Fangs can introduce bacteria into the tiny wounds they create, so if you suspect you have been bitten by a spider it’s best to clean the wound and use an antiseptic treatment. Just as with a wasp or bee sting, antihistamines may help with the swelling and itching, but if symptoms don’t improve, get worse or develop into other symptoms then it’s sensible to seek medical attention. Although it’s rare, some people may be allergic to spider venom, with similar symptoms developing as with a bee or wasp sting allergy.
One spider that recent research suggests may be of some medical concern is the noble false widow spider Steatoda nobilis. This species was first recorded in the UK in Torquay in 1879, and has recently increased in abundance and range. The media have been quick to pick up on ‘spider bite’ stories, but it’s often not possible to verify that the victim has been bitten by any spider, let alone a noble false widow.
Nonetheless, this species can bite and, because it seems to thrive in urban areas, and around our homes and outbuildings, we might expect to see more reports of bites as time goes on. However, for those few people that do, the vast majority will experience only very minor effects.