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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Lucy John

False widow spider sightings are rising in Wales as people clear out sheds and dusty cupboards during lockdown

You may have noticed more spiders in and around your home since the start of the coronavirus lockdown - and you're right to think this.

The British Arachnological Society (BAS) said they had seen "a huge increase" in sightings of all species - including an increase in the number of venomous false widows.

This is all thanks to the quieter lockdown conditions and the fact more people are at home cleaning their gardens, houses and sheds - as well as recent warm weather.

People in Wales have been sharing pictures recently which they believe are false widows.

Some say they have spotted the species in their homes or as they clear out cupboards and sheds.

Rachael Davies, 35, from Pontardawe believes she found a false widow while cleaning her home.

"I was clearing out the conservatory and the spider was just cwtched in the corner. I didn't like the look of it," she said.

"My husband was in work, so I did what I always do when I see a spider, called my dad.  He only lives on the next street over, we followed social distancing guidelines of course. He brought gloves as he had a suspicion from my description that it was possibly a false widow. 

"He managed to catch it in a spider catcher and released it in the woods at the top of our road."

The spider Rachael Davies found in her conservatory (Rachael Davies)

Though false widows are more likely to be spotted outside, they also like to hide under toilets, fridges and washing machines.

The spiders have been known to bite people in the past and some awful horror stories have emerged, with some people needing hospital treatment.

Danielle Galvin, 27, from Neath was bitten by a false widow spider while she slept around five years ago.

She developed a large blister on her leg and described the sensation as "intense itching" similar to a regular insect bite, but "hot to the touch and much worse".

Miss Galvin said she still has scarring today.

Danielle Galvin developed a large blister after she was bitten by a false widow spider (Daniell Galvin)

However, the good news is they are usually not known to attack unless you sit on one or one gets trapped within your clothes.

A spokesman for the British Arachnological Society (BAS) said: "We have had a huge increase in sightings of all species associated with the house and garden.

"False widows are a small proportion of current incoming records but we already know that the species are very widespread and well established across the southern half of Britain.

"The overall increase is undoubtedly a direct result of the lockdown. Many more people are at home and making the best of enjoying the company of their local wildlife.

"We can quantify our increase in traffic on Twitter but not the change in numbers of records for different species via this route.

"Virtually everyone asking us about false widows is reassured to have factual information, and most think the spiders themselves are beautiful."

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