Which UK spiders bite? – The Sun | The Sun
THERE are more than 650 spider species in the UK, but only a few will bite.
Here we take a look at which ones you should be aware of.
Which UK spiders bite?
False Widow Spider
Britain's most feared spider, the venomous false widow, is normally seen in the south of the country but is feared to be spreading all over Britain.
The critters are medium-sized, with orange legs and cream-coloured markings on their brown bodies.
Despite their bodies being only 1cm long, false widows pack a serious punch, with a bite similar to a bee or wasp sting.
This bite can result in severe reactions and complications, although nobody in the UK has ever died after a nip from a false widow.
If a false widow bites you, you should wash the area with soap and water straight away.
If your condition deteriorates, you should go to a doctor immediately.
Woodlouse spider
So-called because they tend to prey on woodlice, this spider has long red fangs designed to pierce their prey's shells.
Found all over the UK, the spider has a leg span of around 4cm and a dusky pink body.
A bite from the woodlouse spider can be painful to humans, but their venom isn't believed to be all that harmful.
If you've been nipped, you can expect some localised pain and a bit of itchiness – but no serious medical problems.
Tube web spider
Found throughout the south of the UK, tube web spiders have bodies which can reach up to 2.2cm long.
The black spiders are capable of biting people, which can cause pain lasting several hours.
The mild toxins in their venom cause a sensation similar to a bee sting, but there aren't any lasting effects from a nip.
Everything you need to know about spiders
- UK spiders: The 24 British spiders you could find in your house
- How can I get rid of spiders from my house?
- Do UK house spiders bite?
- When is UK spider season?
- What do spider bites look like?
- Do conkers keep spiders away?
- What are the biggest spidersfound in the UK?
- What is a spider wrangler?
- What are Huntsman spiders?
Wasp spider
These critters have crawled around UK homes in the south for decades, but are now swarming upwards throughout the country.
With wasp-like yellow stripes across their bodies, and females reaching the size of a two-pence coin, the spiders should be easy enough to spot.
The prickly spiders are capable of biting humans, but there are no serious risks from a wasp spider bite.
Mouse spider
Widespread in Britain, the mouse spider is a nocturnal creature most commonly seen in the autumn.
At around 1cm long, the critters get their name from the mouse-like hairs growing over their brown/grey bodies.
Although they do have a noticeable bite, the spiders don't pose any real threat to humans.
Cardinal spider
The cardinal spider is one of the largest house spiders in the country, as its leg span can be more than 12cm.
These arachnids have a bad reputation on account of their massive size and predatory night-time behaviour, but although the cardinal spider is technically venomous, its bite is rare and quite painless.
These guys get a bad rep because they're so leggy, but they're pretty harmless.
The black lace-weaver spider
If you see one of these guys, don't pick it up.
The bite will cause pain, three days of swelling and a sea of nausea.
Some other spiders which might bite you but not cause severe harm are:
- The Zebra Back spider
- Daddy Long Legs spider
- The Lace-Webbed spider
- The Giant House spider
- The Cupboard spider
- The Cross spider
How can you tell if you've been bitten by a spider?
You'll realise that a spider bit you if you see small puncture marks on the skin.
They will also cause some pain, redness and swelling.
Sometimes a bite might make you feel sick, dizzy or even sweaty.
If you start to feel severe symptoms like unconsciousness, you should seek medical attention immediately.
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