False Widow Spider

Where it lives in Maltese properties

Window frames, garage corners, under sills, in garden furniture, sheds, wall crevices and around external lighting where insects gather.

Signs of an infestation

You will usually notice the evidence long before you see the pest itself. Look for:

• Dark bulbous spiders in tangled webs in corners and window reveals
• Webs concentrated near external lights and vents
• Increased sightings in autumn as males wander looking for mates
• Egg sacs suspended in the web

Why it matters

The risks associated with false widow spider in Malta:

• Bite can cause localised pain and swelling; systemic effects are uncommon
• Webs and debris are unsightly on façades and balconies
• Considerable anxiety because of confusion with the black widow

How to prevent it

Prevention is always cheaper than treatment, and for this species it is genuinely effective:

• Brush down webs from window reveals, balconies and eaves regularly
• Reduce external lighting or switch to warm-toned lamps that attract fewer insects
• Fit fly screens and seal gaps around frames
• Keep garden furniture and stored items clear of walls
• Wear gloves when reaching into sheds and undisturbed storage

How we treat false widow spider

A residual perimeter treatment applied to window reveals, eaves, doorways and balcony soffits, combined with physical web removal and advice on reducing the insect prey that attracts them. Two treatments a year, in spring and autumn, keep façades clear.