WHERE IS THE FALSE WIDOW FROM AND WHY ARE THEY THRIVING?
Millions of false widows, Britain's most poisonous spider, are found across the UK and the population is growing.
Also known as steatoda nobilis, it is frequently confused for the black widow, which has deadly venom.
The false widow was first spotted in the UK in Torquay, Devon, in 1879.
It is understood that it may have made its way to these shores from Madeira or the Canary Islands in a shipment of bananas.
It has a brown bulbous abdomen with cream markings that look like a skull. They have long legs and can reach about 15mm in size.
The Natural History Museum says that warmer summers mean the spider is spreading northwards through the UK, having been found mainly in southern England.
This theory is backed by its wildlife surveys where people report sightings to them.
As concerns grow over the false widow spider Londoners have complained of a new danger - toxic ladybirds.
The brightly-coloured harlequin ladybird have been biting humans when hungry - leaving behind an itchy lump.
The insects have also been wreaking havoc around the home, as they produce a foul-smelling toxic chemical that leaves a yellow stain on wallpaper and curtains.
As the winter draws in, central heating systems wake up harlequin ladybirds hiding in homes and if food is not available, experts say they will go for human flesh.
You have nothing to fear, spiders and most insects are not the type of animals that attack unless they're threatened. As long as you don't go near them or as long as they don't crawl onto your bed at night and you breathe too heavily, the won't bite you.
You have nothing to fear, spiders and most insects are not the type of animals that attack unless they're threatened. As long as you don't go near them or as long as they don't crawl onto your bed at night and you breathe too heavily, the won't bite you.
With exception of the toxic ladybirds Kworb quoted.
