Help Needed Please

shelly01 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 05:52 PM

I noticed this spider last night living in the overhang outside my front door. It looks a bit like a False Widow. Can somebody please let me know if I am correct. Or if I am not let me know what species it is.

The hole it is in in the picture is about an inch across.

No.9 Spider · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 07:14 PM

Yes looks like a Steatoda nobilis - one of the False Widows.

shelly01 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 07:30 PM

Thanks. Is it worth getting rid of it. I really don't want it coming in the house as I am allergic to insect bites and also have a small child living here.

John_M · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelly01

Thanks. Is it worth getting rid of it. I really don't want it coming in the house as I am allergic to insect bites and also have a small child living here.

I wouldn't worry about it. Spiders aren't insects, so I don't think an insect bite allergy would be an issue ( although I am by no means an expert) and in my experience they are unlikely to bite anyway. I have two small children, and at least a dozen S. nobilis living inside the house, and any number outside.

wilippa · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_M

I wouldn't worry about it. Spiders aren't insects, so I don't think an insect bite allergy would be an issue ( although I am by no means an expert) and in my experience they are unlikely to bite anyway. I have two small children, and at least a dozen S. nobilis living inside the house, and any number outside.

While John's point is a valid one, some people are uncomfortable having them around the house. You could try relocating it away from buildings and see if it stays away.

shelly01 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilippa

While John's point is a valid one, some people are uncomfortable having them around the house. You could try relocating it away from buildings and see if it stays away.

cheers Wilippa. Think I might take your advice and try moving it away. Or, as the thought of getting anywhere near it scares me as I don't particularly like spiders anyway, I will get my partner to move it away.

naturegirl · #7 (**permalink**) 16-10-2011, 12:01 AM

Hi guys

I now have about 7+ of these babies of different sizes in my kitchen. I first noticed a lot of little spiderlings in the corner by my sink but didn't think anything of it.

I must have had the adults inside here last year to produce babies this year but didn't know it.

They are all around us now and we just have to live with them. They seem to be here to stay so we must just accept that, we cannot change that.
We need to teach our children/grand children to not touch them at all, much as they do in America and Australia.

They do not want to harm us in any way, we are not their prey food.

I am anaphylactic to bee and wasp stings but do not wish to try spider venom so just leave them alone and when they become larger I shall re-locate them outside. That is all we can do.

Naturegirl