Residents of the United Kingdom are being urgently advised to keep their windows closed—day and night—as the country’s most venomous spider, the False Widow, enters its peak mating season. While experts stress the importance of staying calm, they also emphasize caution, explaining that awareness and preventative measures are the best tools in minimizing encounters with this increasingly common household intruder.
Dr. Tom Elwood, a leading arachnologist who has studied the False Widow (Steatoda nobilis) for over a decade, explains that from late August through early September, the species is at its most active. “This is the time when male spiders begin to roam,” Dr. Elwood says. “They’re on the hunt for mates, and they’ll travel through any open windows, cracks in walls, air vents, and even bathroom drains to find females.”
The False Widow has gained a notorious reputation in the UK since it was introduced from the Canary Islands over a century ago. While not as dangerous as its more famous relative, the Black Widow, the False Widow’s bite can still deliver a sharp, painful sting. The species has adapted impressively well to the British climate, thriving in urban areas and increasingly making its way inside homes, sheds, and garages.
For many years, False Widow sightings were rare, confined mainly to coastal towns in the south. However, warmer temperatures and milder winters, both consequences of climate change, have allowed the spider’s population to spread northward. Today, reports of False Widow sightings have been confirmed across England, Wales, and parts of Scotland.