Britain's first infestation of the deadly Black Widow spider has been discovered in a machinery plant in East Norfolk.
Engineers at the plant discovered the notoriously vicious spider and, after a Google search to identify it, called in pest control. Factory workers and office assistants were evacuated by pest control officers as the spider was sealed in an air tight container.
A nest of eggs was later discovered in the same crate where the spider was originally found after more than 100 baby Black Widows hatched from a small sack the size of a pea.
'You could tell it was a Black Widow because of the hourglass pattern on the thorax and the aggressive stance the spider was taken once trapped in our containers,' said Ian Parkinson, a service manager at Abate Pest Control, who dealt with the request.
''We cordoned off the area in the yard where the spider was discovered and created a ring of insecticide around it. We then used electric and petrol based foggers on the rest of the site.
'After the factory was closed last night we then sprayed the office areas with a water-based insecticide as well.
'We are now satisfied that the premises is safe.'
It is believed that the spiders had come into the country from a delivery of imported machinery goods from Texas.
All products are fumigated before being exported but it remains a mystery as to how the spiders survived.
Mr Parkinson believes that Black Widows can survive up to some weeks after only one large meal so it is not unlikely that they would survive during transit.
Black Widow spiders are considered the most venomous spiders in North America.
The southern Black Widow has the shiny, black, globular abdomen with the distinctive red hourglass on the underside.
There was much skepticism about the potential problems caused by Aggressive Intercontinental Spiders jumping on jets and traveling the globe when first reported in "Another Thing to be Worried About." Experts ridiculed the idea saying "spiders will never be able to get through the rigorous TSA screening process." Now who is laughing?
TSA head John Pistole refused to comment until reporters had emptied their pockets and taken off their shoes. We hope to have a full report as soon they get through the metal detectors.
It is getting increasingly difficult to find safety in this world, but until then this site will bring you the difficult truth, because we care.
It is getting increasingly difficult to find safety in this world, but until then this site will bring you the difficult truth, because we care.
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