Unidentified Spiders in my loft

JayWirral · #1 (**permalink**) 20-11-2009, 03:00 PM

Hi there,

I went to put some stuff in my loft after working away from home for a month. I live on the Wirral, Merseyside.

When I got up, there was spider webs all in the eves of the roof and loads of dead house spiders everywhere.

I then saw a strange spider

It was about the size of a 1p, smooth,shiny, black with red dots on its back. Its back bit is much bigger than its front bit.

I took some photos which i will try and attach but there not that good, will try to get some better ones, a friend just told me about a macro setting on my camera.

I have only seen three of these spiders one the size of a penny and the others about the size of a 5p.Also it looks like there are egg sacks.

Does anyone have any idea what these are? are they harmless? Should i call pest control or just let them be?

Thanks for your help

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 20-11-2009, 03:18 PM

Hi Jay, and welcome to WAB!

First off, it sounds like one of the UK's false-widows. To be more certain of which one, I'll await your photos; Even poor ones are often of good value in the identifying process.

Take care,

Jason

JayWirral · #3 (**permalink**) 20-11-2009, 03:24 PM

JayWirral · #4 (**permalink**) 20-11-2009, 03:26 PM

Cheers mate, hope these help, am gonna try to take some more tonight.

Venger · #5 (**permalink**) 20-11-2009, 05:05 PM

Hard to tell from your photos.
We do have a few in the Gallery that you can compare them to though:

Steatoda nobilis

Photo by Demicav

Steatoda bipunctata

Photo by UB4 gardener

External sites:
Steatoda grossa photos and info
Steatoda nobilis photos and info
Steatoda bipunctata photos and info

Unless you're planning on turning your loft into a room I'd leave them be.
S.nobilis can bite, but only in self defence - just give them the same respect as you would a wasp or a bee and you'll be fine.

No.9 Spider · #6 (**permalink**) 20-11-2009, 08:52 PM

Certainly Steatoda sp. shape as opposed to the 'real' ones, but the 'red' bits interest me, there is some red in one of your photo's though it's a bit blurred. Do they all appear the same as one of the other shots doesn't show any red and looks like S. grossa I'd say.
I'll await further photo's.

Welcome to WAB and as Venger says leave them be, they've probably been there a while and done no harm. Just treat with respect

.

No.9 Spider