Is this a false widow spider?

axer

Hi,

Can anyone identify this spider? Is it a false widow? Just wondering as it lives near a door handle so afraid someone might get bitten if it is.

Thanks.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Pic?

axer

Legend Rich Ferryboat wrote: »

Pic?

Sorry, file uploads seem to be broken on mobile. Pic added now. Thanks.

AmberGold

Jasuz, looks like it. A good clatter with the heel of a shoe!

Kermit.de.frog

Looks like it is.

Pic here in story about Waterford woman a couple of months back

Spider's bite: False widow warning after woman spends days in hospital

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/spiders-bite-false-widow-warning-after-woman-spends-days-in-hospital-38323628.html

You are encouraged to collect it, store it and send to the appropriate authority IIRC because they don't know enough about the venom and effects. Can't remember who specifically.

catrat12

Yeah it is
I posted one just like it a while back

axer

Am I supposed to kill it as an invasive species? Blunt force trauma or is there a better way?

Quandary

Would need to see a better picture of the top side of the abdomen, but at a glance it does look like a false widow.

Pugzilla69

axer wrote: »

Am I supposed to kill it as an invasive species? Blunt force trauma or is there a better way?

Please don't kill it. Their bites are usually no worse than a bee or wasp sting. The supposed danger has been completely sensationalised. They will only bite in self defense. Moving it somewhere else would be a more humane way to deal with this.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

It looks like a false widow alright. Kill it. They are an invasive species with a detrimental impact on native species.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Pugzilla69 wrote: »

Please don't kill it. Their bites are usually no worse than a bee or wasp sting. The supposed danger has been completely sensationalised. They will only bite in self defense. Moving it somewhere else would be a more humane way to deal with this.

They are an invasive species. New Zealand Flatworms neither bite nor sting but they too need to be removed from our ecosystem.

Andreas77

Please do not kill another creature. If it is invasive species as you suggest, then perhaps you can keep it alive for short lifespan in mini terrarium. Spiders are beautiful creatures with karmic value, also personality if you look closely.

Kermit.de.frog

Pugzilla69 wrote: »

The supposed danger has been completely sensationalised.

True, however that woman in Waterford shows that it probably is not that simple.


OP you are officially advised to send it to lab so research can continue on their venom but I can't remember which one. I'll snoop around and see if I can find it online.

axer

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

OP you are officially advised to send it to lab so research can continue on their venom but I can't remember which one. I'll snoop around and see if I can find it online.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/false-widow-spider-what-to-do-if-you-find-one-how-to-get-rid-of-them-and-what-to-do-if-youve-been-bitten-38324661.html

According to this article it is to the Venom Systems Lab, NUI Galway.

They seem to suggest not killing it only as people mistake non false Widows as false Widows.

bobbysands81

Andreas77 wrote: »

Please do not kill another creature. If it is invasive species as you suggest, then perhaps you can keep it alive for short lifespan in mini terrarium. Spiders are beautiful creatures with karmic value, also personality if you look closely.

Karma? Personality?

Seriously?

catrat12

I have a good few of these on the outside of windows big one protecting babies should I just kill them all or what have my own babies in house to protect

catrat12

Sorry best pic I could take

fret_wimp2

Looks like a cupboard spider to me. Indigenous spider (AFAIK), fairly common and looks quite similar to a false widow.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

catrat12 wrote: »

Sorry best pic I could take

Nothing there to be worried about or that warrants killing.