spider invasion closes school: False Widows Spiders

False Widow Spiders Force English School Closure

Gloucestershire, England – school officials in this city of 861,000 inhabitants have decided to temporarily shut down the school due to an invasion of the Steatoda nobilis aka “false widow spider”. The false widow spider is not as venomous as the black widow spider but its bite will cause swelling and chest pains. In addition, multiple bites can prove life threatening.

It should be noted that no one attending Deans Academy has been harmed by the eight legged freaks, nor have any deaths been attributed to the spiders in Britain at all this year. However, after the spiders infested the technology lab and the subsequent fumigation failed to eradicate them completely from the school premises, the decision was made to close the school for a thorough fumigation.

The schools vice principle Craig Burns said the decision to close the school was made with parents.

In a letter, he wrote: ‘We identified an issue with ‘false widow’ spiders in the academy in our ICT block yesterday afternoon and therefore took immediate advice from pest control.

‘We therefore made the decision to close the ICT block for the whole of today so that pest control could fumigate the area.

‘Unfortunately, there have been further ‘false widow’ spiders identified in other areas of the academy.

‘We have taken advice from the health and safety unit at Gloucestershire Local Authority and C&D Pest Control, Chepstow, and have taken the decision to close the academy all day on October 23.

‘This will enable pest control to fumigate every area in the academy and ensure everyone’s health and safety.

A grandfather was left fighting for life when his vital organs shut down after he was bitten by Britain’s most venomous spider.
Tim Merry/Daily Star

‘The health and safety unit and pest control feel that we have dealt with the matter quickly and efficiently and taken appropriate early action.

An expert from Britain’s National History Museum blames the increase in false widow spiders to global warming which was a convenient way to blame everyone for the spider infestation. He did not indicate whether the school had properly performed the type of regular pest control that is necessary to prevent spider infestations. The school is, after all, in close proximity to the Forest of Dean which is a breeding ground for all manner of critters.

Mrs Shattock, who works at an opticians, told the Daily Mail: ‘I think it should be closed for the rest of the week because I’m worried about what the left over chemicals might do to the children.

‘It’s half term next week so I don’t see why they don’t just call it an early finish and sort the problem out.

‘They’ve definitely done the right thing to close the school – I’d be worried about the children’s safety if they left the spiders there.

Many spiders of the genus Steatoda are often mistaken for widow spiders (Latrodectus), and are known as false black widows; however Steatoda are significantly less harmful to humans. Steatoda are shaped similarly to widow spiders, with round, bulbous abdomens. However, not all Steatoda species resemble widows – many have distinct coloring, and are significantly smaller than Latrodectus specimens. Some species of Steatoda will actually prey on widows, as well as other spiders which are considered hazardous to humans.

On The Web:

Spider invasion closes British school
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2471977/False-widow-spiders-force-Gloucestershire-school-close.html

False widow spider bites footballer Steve Harris
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-24470023

False Widow Spiders
http://news.yahoo.com/venomous-spider-invasion-closes-british-school-184102169.html

Steatoda
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steatoda