The NHS have released data showing that in 2025 there were 100 admissions to English hospitals due to “contact with or from the toxic effect of spiders”.

This is up from 47 in 2015, with much of this being attributed to the “false widow spider”.

We in Ireland have also seen an uptick in the presence of this venomous spider in recent years…

So, is there any reason to worry?

Joining Ciara to discuss is Collie Ennis, Biodiversity Officer with Trinity College Dublin.