There have been no reports of anyone being bitten at the Academy. Even if there have been no reported deaths from the bite of this spider in the UK, the known symptoms include severe swelling, chest pains and tingling of the fingers. Its venom can kill those who are allergic. It first came to the UK more than 100 years ago in crates of bananas from the Canary Islands.
Since then the Natural History Museum’s Insect Information Service was notified for about ten cases of spider bites each year. The changes in the climate continuously modified the distribution of the false widow spider in the geographic area.
Its presence in a school was appreciated as very dangerous. About 900 pupils and the staff of the school were threatened. Parents were more than happy when the school was closed to take action against spiders.
