ALERT: Risk of deadly false widow spiders inside Kildare homes amid bite warning

The risk of encountering a false widow spider in your house is increasing as they can survive for five years, produce 1,000 offspring a year and fend off cold weather.

The warning comes from the National Poisons Information Centre based at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, who say the venomous spiders could pop up indoors as the weather gets colder.

"With temperatures set to drop, the risk of encountering a false widow spider in your home will increase, particularly around windows and in conservatories," they said.

"The false widow is established in most counties in Ireland. It is the most common urban spider. It's tolerance to cold temperatures, activity throughout the year and a 5 year life span make it competitive against native Irish spiders. It can produce 1,000 offspring annually. In contrast native spiders are inactive during colder months, have shorter life spans and produce fewer offspring."

They went on to explain: "Most false widows are a brownish colour with paler markings and a bulbous body. The venom of the false widow is more potent than that of native spiders. It shares two-thirds of its venom toxin with that of a true black widow."

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A bite from a false widow can be nasty. The National Poisons Information Centre says: "The severity of the bite will depend on the spider and the sensitivity of the individual," but effects include:

"Pain, redness and swelling at the area of the bite are common; Nausea, vomiting, headache, hot and cold flushes sometimes occur; Necrosis and bacterial infection have rarely been reported."

They stress that "a bite from false widow is NOT fatal."

They have issued advice to people if they are bitten by a false widow spider:

Gently wash the affected area with soap and water.

Apply topical antiseptic.

Apply a cold pack to the site.

Contact the NPIC, GP or pharmacist if pain persists or swelling develops.

Seek medical attention for bites on or around the eye.

Seek URGENT medical advice if vomiting, radiating pain or hot & cold flushes develop.

Contact your GP if an infection develops.

They concluded by reassuring people of good news: "False widows do not randomly bite. Its venom is a complex resource and is usually reserved for prey, rather than humans."