Our Pet the Black Widow Spider

I think one of the reasons there are some problems in the UK at the moment is we have developed the mindset that we dont have "dangerous spiders" and so people do not automatically seek medical attention when they are are bitten. Like I said in my post above we do have false widows and they will bite but the bite itself is not going to kill but failing to get medical attention for it is dangerous because it almost always sets up a really nasty infection.

I was actually bitten by one twenty years ago - and did not seek medical attention until I had a massive pus filled blister and it was painful to walk. The doctor gave me a severe telling off and said I was on the brink of blood poisoning and if I had left it another 12 hours I would have put myself in intensive care and been at risk of dying. As it was 20 years ago I did not make the front pages of the national papers like happens today but the message was the same - if you get bitten see a doctor.