The map below shows some of the registered sightings of false widow spiders around the UK. Feel free to add your own by clicking the link below the map.
The grey pins on the map mean there is a photo. This really helps when confirming a sighting, so if you can post a photo along with your report that would be really helpful.
We also welcome sightings of some of the other biting spiders that are found in the UK.
It lives above my back door in the porch at back of house. I left it there thinking it was a normal spider for months, only see it fully out if it’s hole today and relised what it was, I also have one in my outside gas box
I live in the London bourgh of Wandsworth. I have had several Nobles false widows in my flat last sighing was about two weeks ago. I caught a male one.
I live in Bradninch, near Exeter, Devon and have a beautiful false widow out in one of my cattery houses. She has built a big web up in the roof of the house and is always out in the middle of it when I go out to feed the cats at night. I have never seen her during daylight.
Hello,
We live in Rushden, Northamptonshire.
We have whole infestation of what looks to be exactly false widow. They love the webs under window ledges, especially south side. Some got indoor but didn’t survive.
They are ugly and I would love to get rid of them, but they are literally everywhere – mad. Could share photos but it doesn’t allow me within comment section.
Regards
Luke
I don’t seem to be able to get the link below the map to work, but I was bitten by one of Sunday night and have a photo.
Hatfield Peverel, Essex.
Northamptonshire. We have one that’s built a lovely web in our dining room window, My husband doesn’t like her, shame I’ll have to move her.
I saw 3 in the frame of my garage door and one in my patio door. Llanelli Sa14, it won’t let me update the sighting on the map
False widow sightings (so far without photos):
1. between 10th-15th June 2022 in Tiptree: 1 individual (likely female as the head/body were approximately 14-15mm, total leg span difficult to estimate with spider positioning), disorganised web built just outside of a crack in the wall situated inside, but underneath an often open window (she would hide in the crack when attempting to photograph or move the blinds, so I didn’t want to further scare her by trying again). Her web had the remnants of a daddy long legs caught in it. There were no visible egg sacs. She was active both during the day and the night, but mostly in the early hours of the morning (though this may be observational bias, as this is when I would more frequently be near that window). She left this area overnight and did not return.
2: 29th July 2022 in Tiptree: 1 individual (likely male, head/body were approximately 9.5mm, total leg span approximately 21-22mm, abdomen was sleek/oblong), stringy web built on a wooden garden structure (catio), within a wooden box shape under some shelter designed for cats to hide in (photo not taken as the spider was quickly removed as the cats play here). His web had a desiccated smaller, unidentifiable spider caught just above where he was situated. There were no signs of a nearby female, or egg sacs. He was quite subdued when found, during the late afternoon.
I have one under the lid of my green garden recycling bin.
I would send a photo if i could work out how i’m meant to send it, as well as putting a location on the map..nothing seems to work
I live in Daventry, Northamptonshire & have so many false widows in my garden, there are more falsies than native spiders. Sometimes they are found in the house but quickly evicted outside.
We have had one in our orangery in Surrey (Godalming) it is deceased, also partner has nasty bite!
Colchester Road, Tiptree: 1x false widow dropped onto my face at 3am 21/08/2022. I was in bed, and my bed is next to a window which I had left open mistakenly (I get many false widows here). Unfortunately, in my startled-awake fright, I killed the spider. I have a photo & still have the dead spider- how do I upload a photo to register the sighting? Is there any organisation that would find it useful to receive the dead spider (as I know there are many citizen-science projects that accept submissions of animal carcasses, I wonder if there is one for notable insects?)
I have loads of FWs in both my front and back garden
I live in Lowestoft Suffolk and have had lots of these spiders in our garden for at least four years
Two false widow spiders found at my home in South Derbyshire – 1 in garden, 1 on 1st floor window sill. Possibly lots more around outside of house 1st floor windows as familiar looking webs.
Our garden is full of the little monsters ! East Essex
found lots of false widows today….clearing and prepping my garden for winter. founds loads of them in shed and around the back of shed and around back of my compost bins. In Dartford, Kent
I have just found a false widow in the conservatory inside a small cardboard box of toy dinosaurs, complete with sticky web. I’m afraid I hoovered it up with hand held vacumn cleaner. The grandchildren’s toys are kept in this room and it is in daily use by the family and pets. I can’t risk anyone being bitten!
Isle of Lewis – found one when coming home in the corner of the lounge high next to the ceiling.
I’m in Cardiff and our garage/kitchen/downstairs toilet wall is covered in noble false widows. I’m deathly phobic of spiders, but I actually quite like the false widows because they’re so decidedly docile.
I always go out the back to smoke with a stick to move spiders away from our back door and they’re very timid and unaggressive. A little tap to the butt and they’re off. Never once have I seen an aggressive false widow. Which I’m very grateful for!
How do I share a photo? Dropping a pin on the map doesn’t work. Any tips? I’ve tried different browsers.
Having new gutters replaced on our house in Canterbury today.
Large tube spider suddenly appeared from under the eaves giving the workman abit of a shock!
It ran along his arm, he managed to flick it off before it bit him!
Keep a look out for these pesty creatures.
Found one yesterday I’m my sink, saved it from drowning, put it outside to dry!!! Got some great pictures of it as it was there for 10 minutes before disappearing. I line in Bury, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire…Loved researching what it was, the history Canary Islands, Devon, Bananas…then 150 years later, vuala!! On the edge of the fens!!!
one seen today in Whitby North yorkshire
we have had several in the house. in the corners of windows, behind roller blinds, and in the porch. several members of the family have been bitten while they sleep and the bites sometimes go nasty. I unfortunately had one in my trousers and it bit me several times on my bum.! 10 days ago and still having problems.