Number of patients being admitted to hospital for spider bites has doubled amid 'explosion' of false widows in UK

Published: 00:02, 13 April 2026 | Updated: 00:25, 13 April 2026 The number of patients in England being admitted to hospital for spider bites has more than doubled across the last decade amid an 'explosion' in noble false widows. Provisional NHS figures show there were 100 hospital admissions because of 'contact with or toxic effect of spiders' in 2025, up from 47 admissions in 2015. The rise has been linked to the increase of the noble false widow spider, a species described as 'the most dangerous spider in Britain' by Oxford University ecologist Clive Hambler. The species - whose bite is known to cause significant harm - originates from Madeira and the Canary Islands, and was first reported in southern England in 1879. It's increasing presence, according to Mr Hambler, means the days of spiders being treated as 'benign in Britain' are over.  He said: 'I think if you were going back 50 years, then there would have been hardly any consequences from spider bites in Britain. 'The incidents of severe bites from spiders in Britain will have increased, as this species (false widows) became hugely more abundant in Britain, particularly in the south.' In 2021, 43 people were admitted to hospital due to spider bites, a figure which increased to 95 only one year later.  The number of patients in England admitted to hospital for spider bites has more than doubled across the last decade amid an 'explosion' in noble false widows (pictured) NHS figures show there were 100 hospital admissions because of 'contact with or toxic effect of spiders' in 2025  In both 2023 and 2024, the number of admissions was reported as 91.  Of the 100 admissions in 2025, 73 were through the A&E department. This is just shy of double the amount in 2015, at 38.  Mr Hambler added that coming into contact with noble false widows occurs more often than not, and said he had seen the species in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.  Most commonly, a bite from the spiders can cause pain and itching, however, Mr Hambler noted that more toxic effects are due to the bacteria they carry which can potentially lead to 'amputation, sepsis and death.' He emphasised the public should take a 'balanced' approach to the arachnids by being aware of the risks without being alarmed.  He said: 'I think spiders are wonderful things and they're very important in ecosystems, but you now need to treat spiders in Britain as you might in many other parts of the world - as something to be very respectful of. 'I mean it's a balance because people will say 'oh you'll cause arachnophobia,' but I don't think many people are going to die of arachnophobia in Britain but they will die from this thing.' Dr Michael Dougan, a zoologist at the University of Galway, described the figures as 'interesting' but 'not surprising.'  A bite from the noble false widows (pictured) can cause pain and itching, however, the bacteria they carry can potentially lead to amputation, sepsis and death He said the 'explosion in the population of noble false widow' is the 'most obvious' factor accounting for the figures. He said: 'We know that those species indeed can actually bite, that they do have a preference to live in and around houses rather than in natural habitats, at least in the UK and Ireland.' However, Dr Dougan added that due to the increased media coverage of the species and spider bites, some may think they've been bitten by the noble false widow when they've actually been bitten by something else.  He said: 'Essentially, when you do not see the spider really bite or capture the spider and you say that you haven't felt any pain - then it's most likely not a spider. 'Because a bite by the noble false widow will actually wake you up. The pain is equivalent to a wasp sting or even more than that.' Dr Dougan added that 100 cases in England, however, is a relatively minor amount.  He said spiders are 'not aggressive animals,' nor do they 'particularly try to bite.' Adam Hart, a professor from the University of Gloucestershire, said that while false widows have 'expanded their range,' the public should not be concerned.  He said: 'While they can bite if handled or trapped against the skin, most bites are mild and severe reactions are rare. 'Basic precautions, such as not handling spiders directly, should ensure the chances of being bitten are minuscule.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.