SPIDER season hits the UK each year between late summer and early autumn.
There are over 650 spider species in the UK, but how many of them bite? Here we take a look at which ones you should be aware of.
Which UK spiders bite?
False Widow Spider
The venomous false widow spider is Britain's most feared spider and is normally found in the south but it's feared it may be spreading all across the UK.
These spiders are medium-sized with orange legs and cream-coloured markings on their brown bodies.
Despite being only 1cm long, false widows have a serious bite which can feel similar to a bee or wasp sting.
Their bite can result in severe reactions and complications but has never caused any deaths in the UK.
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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
These critters get their name from preying on woodlice.
The woodlouse spider has long red fangs designed to pierce their prey's shells and can be found all over the UK.
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You'll be able to identify these spiders by their 4cm dusky pink body.
A bite from a woodlouse spider can be painful but it's believed their venom isn't all that harmful.
If you find you've been nipped you'll experience some localised pain and itchiness but no serious medical problems.
Tube web spider
Often found in the south of the UK, tube web spiders are 2.2cm long.
These black spiders can bite people and cause pain which lasts several hours.
Their venom causes a similar sensation to a bee sting but there aren't any lasting effects from a tube web spider's bite.
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.
They get their name from their wasp like appearance with yellow like stripes across their bodies.
A female may cause a shock as they can reach the size of a two-pence coin.
Wasp spiders can bite humans but there are no serious risks if you get nipped.
Mouse spider
The nocturnal mouse spider can be found across the UK and is mostly seen during the autumn.
They measure at 1cm, these spiders 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 spiders have a bad reputation due to their huge size and predatory night-time behaviour.
The critter has a technically venomous bite but it's rare and often painless.
These guys get a bad rep because they're so leggy, but they're pretty harmless.
The black lace-weaver spider
As it goes, the black lace weaver is pretty venomous.
Around 11 to 15mm and almost black, they're found across Europe all year long.
If you happen to find one, don't pick it up.
Their bite can cause pain, three days of welling and 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 know if a spider has bitten you if you find small puncture marks on the skin.
Spider bites can cause pain, redness and swelling.
In some cases a bite might make you feel sick, dizzy or sweaty.
However, if you start to experience severe symptoms, such as unconsciousness, then you must seek medical attention immediately.
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