The number of patients in England admitted to hospital for spider bites has more than doubled across the last decade, with 100 hospital admissions because of 'contact with or toxic effect of spiders' in 2025, up from 47 admissions in 2015. This rise in hospital admissions has been linked to an increase in the noble false widow spider population. According to Oxford University ecologist Clive Hambler, the noble false widow spider is the most dangerous spider in Britain.
A bite from the noble false widow spider can cause pain and itching, and the bacteria they carry can potentially lead to amputation, sepsis, and death. Insect bites and stings are becoming an increasing concern in the UK due to climate change. Climate change is driving a rise in insect activity in the UK, with milder winters, warmer summers, and more rainfall creating ideal conditions.
Public Health England has introduced a national TICK Surveillance Scheme (TSS) to monitor tick distribution and seasonality. It remains unclear what specific measures are being taken by health authorities to address the rising hospital admissions from spider bites, and how many deaths or severe complications have been directly attributed to noble false widow spider bites in the UK. The current estimated population size and geographic spread of the noble false widow spider in the UK, as well as any regional variations in hospital admissions, are not confirmed.