Home   Medway   News   Article

Spider filmed in Rainham garden and spotted in Maidstone property is possibly a venomous green-fanged tube web

A spider believed to be one of the UK’s biggest and most venomous has been spotted in the back garden of a family home.

The eight-legged giant gave Charlotte Louise the fright of her life after she spotted it on the grass in Parkwood Green, Rainham.

Charlotte Louise was petrified to find this spider in her garden in Rainham. Picture: Charlotte Louise
Charlotte Louise was petrified to find this spider in her garden in Rainham. Picture: Charlotte Louise

Video footage zooms in on the spider’s distinctly red centre as it appeared to stay still next to the mum-of-four’s outdoor rug.

The NHS 111 call handler said: “We had just got back from collecting the children from nursery.

“I opened my back gate and saw my garden rug had blown from the wind. I went to pick it up and caught it in the side of my eye. I immediately backed off because, let’s face it most of us are petrified. The children were also scared.”

Thankfully, Charlotte’s partner came to the rescue and removed the spider by using the classic technique of putting a piece of paper card under it with a pot on top, before taking it to another bush.

Afterwards, Charlotte joined a spider interest group on Facebook where the creature was identified as a Segestria Florentina - known as the green-fanged tube web spider - by a few of the experts.

Although it has not been formally identified, Charlotte was told the spider can be aggressive and its bite is likened to a bee sting.

According to the British Spiders’ website, the creepy crawly is restricted to southern Britain and is mainly found in coastal destinations.

It also states the green-fanged tube web spider can be found abundantly in the south east.

“I was intrigued due to never seeing a spider like it,” she added.

But it’s possible the arachnid hadn’t travelled far after its initial appearance when she later had another encounter - this time on her skin.

The spider is possibly the UK’s biggest venomous tube-dwelling arachnid and was sighted in a garage in Maidstone. Picture: Tony Sellar
The spider is possibly the UK’s biggest venomous tube-dwelling arachnid and was sighted in a garage in Maidstone. Picture: Tony Sellar

She said: “I was getting washing off the line and felt something between my crop top and leggings - I flinched and whacked my hand across, and to my horror, another enormous spider landed on the floor.

“I’m not sure if it was the same kind as it scurried away. But, it left me feeling creepy crawly for ages.”

It’s not the only recent sighting in Kent. Last week Tony Sellar was fitting a garage door in Maidstone when he stumbled across a giant as it popped out of its funnel web.

Although it made the 35-year-old “jump” he says he was able to move it down to the bottom of the garden and finish his job.

“We come across a lot of different spiders in this job, unfortunately.

I’m not sure if it was the same kind as it scurried away. But, it left me feeling creepy crawly for ages

“I thought I’m lucky I didn’t accidentally put my finger in there.”

And it’s not the first time this spider has been spotted in the Maidstone area, possible sightings of a venomous green-fanged tube web were caught on video in 2023.

The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre explained the spider sits near the entrance of the tube and will dash out and bite any unfortunate creature by injecting it with venom through its fangs.

Although not fatal it can subject people to a painful bite that has been compared to a bee sting.

The female has metallic green fangs, hence its name.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More