a little help with false widows please

[kyben]

Hi everyone,

I have always liked spiders, i have always removed rather than destroyed (as with any insect).

I have an identified female false widow spider living in my porch, it is the most wounderful looking spider i have ever seen its been there since i moved in and ive been here for two months.

I noticed a relitvly large white sack about a month ago in her web and when i tried to investigate got the fright of my life as it moved like a bullet towards my finger.

Now my problem is i have found several more mostly in the kitchen area and utility room and i would like a way to either prevent more from coming (hope this isnt as rediculous as it sounds) or to move them out.

I feel bad as they must of been here long before me but i small children.

Thanks.

Ben.

[wilippa]

This is a question that has been asked and answered a few times in this forum. Firstly, are you sure it's a false widow? A photo posted here might help you ID as it could be something else.
Secondly, even if it is a false widow, their reputation is somewhat undeserved. Although bites do happen you usually have to be very unlucky or trying hard to get bitten (and I wouldn't suggest poking the egg sac). Most will only bite in self defense (or defense of eggs!). Even if you get bitten, most bites are no worse than a bee or wasp sting and an extreme reaction is very rare.
Many WAB members live happily with Steatoda sp in their houses and just leave them be - the spiders will return the favour! If you really want to get rid of them, catch them in a glass and card and relocate them some distance from the house. However, I don't know of any way to stop them coming back!