A woman in Kent, England, sustained a significant injury to her leg after being bitten multiple times by a false widow spider, an incident that has raised concerns about the growing presence of these arachnids and the potential for serious reactions.
Danni Virgo, 45, was bitten in 2020 when she put on freshly laundered pajamas that had been drying on a clothesline. She felt a sharp pinch and later discovered a small red lump on her thigh, which turned black the following day. Doctors identified the bite as being caused by a false widow spider, and the wound developed into a 10-pence-sized crater in her skin.
While Ms. Virgo's initial wound healed without surgery, she was bitten twice more by a false widow spider just weeks later. She discovered that her garden was heavily infested with the spiders, estimating around 100 in her yard. Despite attempts to eradicate them using peppermint spray, natural oils, and commercial spider repellents, she found no success in controlling the population. This has led her to avoid her garden and use an indoor dryer for her clothes, as she fears going outside.
NHS data indicates a rise in hospital admissions linked to spider bites, with 100 admissions recorded in 2025, an increase from 47 in 2015. This trend is attributed to the expanding numbers of the noble false widow spider in the United Kingdom. Ms. Virgo, who still bears a scar from the initial bite, is now warning others about the venomous spiders.
She described the initial bite as intensely painful and noted how quickly the wound escalated. After consulting a doctor who confirmed the false widow bite and a subsequent infection, she was treated with antibiotics. The later bites, which occurred on the back of her neck while she was indoors, further cemented her fear of the arachnids.
Ms. Virgo reported finding nests and numerous spiders on her garden fence, leading her to believe her garden is infested. The incident has left her traumatized and significantly altered her habits, preventing her from engaging in outdoor activities in her own yard. She emphasizes the need for public awareness, noting that the spiders are small and easily missed.