September is upon us which means the temperatures are going to drop and lots of little (and not so little) spiders will be finding their way into your home looking for some heat.
Invasive false widow spiders have become more common in Ireland in recent years. Their bites are said to be similar to bee stings - and can result in hospitalisation in some severe cases.
False widow spiders are up to 230 times more poisonous than the domestic Irish species, according to NUIG studies. The strength of the spider's venom gives it a competitive edge compared to other species, says lead researcher Dr Michael Dugon.
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Dr Dugon suggested that the invasive species could result in bullying native arachnids out of the food chain. He said: "Over the years, we have learned a lot about the Noble false widow and its venom. This study is another important step to understand the true impact this species has on the ecosystems it invades throughout the world."
Joint first author of the study and NUI Galway graduate, Sean Rayner, added: "Over the past number of years we have seen a noticeable increase in Irish populations of Noble False Widow.”
But how can you spot a false widow spider and where are you likely to find them? Here is everything you need to know:
What do they look like?
Most false widow spiders are a brownish colour with pale markings and round bulbous bodies. The females are larger than males and can measure up to 15 millimetres while the males measure up to 10 millimetres.
Where will you find them?
The spiders are mostly found outdoors in the bark of trees but sometimes they can be found indoors - hiding in window frames, lofts and conservatories. They also love warm areas like bedrooms. You might even find one in your bed! 88 percent of bites from the false widow occurred when the victim was either asleep in bed or when the spider was trapped in clothing, according to NUIG.
What happens if I get bitten by a false widow spider?
The Irish false widow spider can produce many of the same toxins as their cousins, the real black widow spider. The two widows share 111 out of 140 toxins, including compounds that attack the central nervous system, according to research from the Journal Toxins.
But bites from a false widow spider are not fatal. Symptoms include swelling and this can be followed by the formation of a dry necrotic wound. There can also be inflammation for a few days afterwards.
How do I avoid a bite?
Look out for false widow webs that can be found in cracks in walls, inside drain pipes, in garden sheds and on triangular frames inside our homes. If you brush their webs away, the spiders should leave your home and build a web somewhere where it won’t be destroyed.
What to do if you have been bitten?
If you have been bitten, wash the area with soap and water. Apply a cloth cooled with water or an ice pack for 10 minutes and do not scratch the itchy mark - this helps avoid infection.
The spider bite leaves a small mark in the skin that can be painful and cause redness and swelling, but it will calm down over a few hours to a few days. The majority of false widow bites are actually pretty mild and the severity will depend on the spider and the sensitivity of the person.
Rarely, a bite may cause confusion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating, a fast heart rate, dizziness, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. If you have any concerns after getting a spider bite you should contact your GP or call emergency services if serious.
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