False widow spider population 'explodes'

The noble false widow, originally from the Canary Islands, has benefited from milder winters and is now established in gardens across southern England, including Buckingham Palace.

While the spiders are not typically aggressive, their bite can cause significant pain, swelling, and in some cases, severe allergic reactions.

NHS figures show that over 100 people were hospitalized for toxic effects of spider bites in 2025 alone.

Entomologists are urging the public to be vigilant but emphasize that the spiders are not lethal to healthy adults.