Four schools in east London have been closed for up to a month because of an infestation of venomous false widow spiders.
Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, Star Primary School, Lister Community School and Rokeby School in Newham have been closed since Wednesday.
“I was made aware of an infestation of noble false black widow spiders which was discovered during a routine check by Newham’s environmental team,” said Star Primary’s head teacher, Lisle Von Buchenroder, in a notice posted on the school’s website.
“They believe that the infestation is contained to the outside of the building and that this needs to be treated immediately before the eggs start hatching.”
In a letter to parents, Rokeby School said it would remain closed until 29 October due to the “infestation”.
All of the schools say the children will be given homework and study resources during the closures.
Ellen Wilkinson School says it is “exploring the possibility of using alternative venues next week”.
False widow spiders look similar to their more dangerous cousins, black widows, although the Natural History Museum says they have a “relatively harmless bite”.
The species was first recorded in the UK in the 1870s after arriving as a stowaway on cargo ships from its native Madeira and the Canary Islands.
“The pattern on their bodies is often described as ‘skull-shaped’, which probably doesn’t help their negative reputation,” the museum’s website says.
Wildlife charity Buglife said: “We consider this to be a radical and unnecessary overreaction to the tiny risk posed, indeed the spraying of the schools with toxic insecticides may be a higher risk.”
The charity’s chief executive Matt Shardlow said: “It is a shame that the education, and potentially the health, of these children is being harmed by this knee-jerk risk assessment.”
