Brown widow spiders spotted in two islands

Police have stated that brown widow spiders have been found in two other islands of the country other than Maafushi.

The spiders, not native to the country were first spotted in Maafushi, and Police have now informed that the spiders have also been spotted in the islands of K. Thulusdhoo and K. Huraa. All three islands are well known local tourist hotspots frequented by visitors to the country.

Health Ministry confirmed that the spiders were brown widow spiders and Maafushi council has previously issued a caution to households of the island regarding the spiders.

Police have now begun work of eradicating the spiders from the three islands in collaboration with other relevant institutions. Health Ministry also instructed if such a spider or an egg was spotted by a member of the public, the egg or spider should be burnt after removing it without direct contact with the skin.

Police advised residents to check their households for these insects.

Brown widow spiders were also found in a home in the capital Male city in 2016. The spiders although dangerous, are not as dangerous as the more well known black widow spider.