Lewis Curran found four Steatoda noblis spiders, known as false widow spider, in his girlfriend's garage in Sidcup

The Steatoda noblis, known as the false widow spider or biting spider, has been webbing its way into the borough over the last three to four years.

It is commonly mistaken for a black widow spider and can give a hefty bite if picked up or squashed.

Last month Lewis Curran, a contributor to the Natural History Museum’s online Nature Plus Bug Forum, found four of the arachnids on his girlfriend's garage ceiling, in High View Road, Sidcup.

He said: "They are pretty unobtrusive. They tend to like south facing walls. It's getting a bit colder now so they are looking for somewhere warmer.

"If you see one it's a classic scenario, you get a glass and put a bit of cardboard underneath it and chuck it away.

"They certainly shouldn't be handled."

The 47-year-old added: "Most people shouldn't have any problem being bitten, it's no worse than a wasp sting.

"But it's a matter of time before someone who is allergic gets bitten and dies."

False widow spiders were first found in Torquay in around 1870 after arriving on a banana boat from the Canary Islands.

But climate change has enabled them to spread along the south and east of England.

Another common species of the false widow spider is the Steatoda grossa, which can bite and is found inside houses, under draws, beds and other furniture.

Mr Curran's dad, Mike, found this species in his recycling bin.

The 75-year-old, of Eynswood Drive, Sidcup, said: "It was a bit scary. I called Lewis and described to him what it was and he said he was pretty sure it was a false black widow.

"I didn't touch it and Lewis got rid of it."

Bexley Council's pest control team

A Bexley Council spokeswoman said: “Residents should not be alarmed. This is a common species of spider, that superficially resembles, and is frequently confused for, the Black Widow.

“It has a reputation as one of the few spider species in England which is capable of inflicting a painful bite to humans but this is a comparatively rare occurrence.”

She added: “The Natural History Museum's Insect Information Service hears of about 10 cases of spider bites each year in the UK.

“The Council’s Environmental Health & Trading Standards Service has received no recent complaints or enquiries relating to spiders.

“Should anyone find any spiders or other insects which give them cause for concern they should in the first instance call the London Borough of Bexley's Environmental Health service for further advice on 0208 303 7777.”

False widow spider bites

- In November Maldon District Council in Essex issued advice after a series of spider bites in Burnham. Alffie Barr, 14, was bitten and needed hospital treatment after suffering a bad reaction.

- Milton Keynes Council’s pest control team asked people to be on the lookout after a nest of false widow spiders was found on a play-house in a resident’s garden in October.

- In 2009 grandmother Lyn Mitchell, from Cumbria, ended up on a life-support machine after suffering an allergic reaction to the spider bite.

Facts about Steatoda noblis 'false widow spiders'

Female spiders, which are the only ones to bite, grow to 15mm while males reach 10mm.

They have a brown bulbous abdomen with pale markings and can be mistaken for a black widow spider.

The species live in walls, fences and the barks of trees and eat insects, other invertebrates and even other spiders.

The bite itself is not usually felt but, within a short space of time, a burning sensation can be followed by pain.

People who have been bitten by one have been admitted to hospital with symptoms including pain, chest pains, nausea and vomiting.

Have you seen or been bitten by a false widow spider? Call the newsroom on 01689 885734.