A New Romney, Kent, woman said she stopped using her garden after a false widow hidden in laundry bit her, leaving what she described as a crater-like injury.
She said failed attempts to clear what's considered the country's most venomous spider — along with more bites — kept her out of the space.
Here's what to know
According to Teesside Live, Danni Virgo, 45, said the arachnid scare started in 2020 when she put on pajamas she had just taken in from the washing line and felt a painful bite on her thigh. A doctor told her the worsening wound appeared to be an infected false widow bite.
"I sat down and felt the most almighty pinch. It was really painful," Virgo said.
Within a day, the mark had turned black. Antibiotics eventually helped it heal, but the injury left a scar.
She said she was bitten twice more. After determining these spiders came out at night, she checked her garden while carrying a flashlight and found the fence line was heavily infested.
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Teesside Live cited National Health Service data that shows 100 hospital admissions linked to spider bites in 2025, up from 47 in 2015, and said the increase has been associated with a growing number of noble false widow spiders in the United Kingdom.
Virgo estimated there were 100 in the garden, with "nests everywhere."
More background
Encounters between people and animals are common when homes, gardens, and other built environments create sheltered places for species to hide and thrive, as the BBC discussed in an article about how human activity can drive contact with wildlife.
Virgo said the experience changed everyday routines. She no longer hung clothes outdoors, used a dryer instead, and stayed out of her garden, where she used to frequently spend time doing chores and hobbies.
"It definitely left me traumatised," she told Teesside Live.
What can be done?
She said natural oils, peppermint spray, and anti-spider sprays failed to solve the problem around her fence, suggesting that an infestation may require treatment by a professional.
For people concerned about spiders around a home, a few precautions may reduce the risk of unexpected encounters. Check clothes and other items before bringing them inside; shake out garments before wearing them; and pay close attention to dark, sheltered areas around fences, sheds, and other outdoor features.
If someone does suffer a bite that becomes unusually painful, changes color, or shows signs of infection, it's important to immediately seek medical attention. Virgo said antibiotics were enough to heal her wound without surgery, but the incident still changed the way she used her home and property.
"People need to be aware of these spiders. They're not that big, so they're easily missed," she told Teesside Live. "... I live in fear now."
Where can I learn more?
Virgo's experience is one example of how animals can make everyday outdoor spaces off-limits. From backyard predators to fast-spreading pests, situations can change life around a home.
• In Cuba, residents say thousands of giant African snails are overtaking streets and yards.
• Around the Bay Area, encounters can be scary as wild boars tear through residential neighborhoods.
• In Missouri, a homeowner's feline predator left residents rattled about stepping outside.
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