The Department of Environmental Protection is to regularly scour the locality where two black widow spiders were found to ensure no more specimens are present.

Claire Jessey, plant protection officer, gives an update on the creepy-crawlies in the spring edition of 'Envirotalk'.

The Ministry of the Environment has brought back the magazine after a two-year hiatus, and subscribers can cut down on paper waste through an e-mail subscription.

The quarterly magazine aims to inform the public of the latest environmental initiatives in Bermuda.

It also includes upcoming events, news, tips and recipes.

Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney said: "We would like your input. We want to know the topics you would like to know more about and the programmes, initiatives and studies that interest you.

"We will also be looking for your assistance. We encourage you to volunteer your services and to become active in community environmental projects and initiatives across the Island."

The spring edition features an update on the black widows recently discovered in a garage in Southampton.

Other articles include a look at the completed formal gardens in the Botanical Gardens; botanist Lisa Greene's book 'Bermuda's Flora'; a spring planting calendar; the latest on the black grouper conservation project; equine import protocol; plus a recipe for codfish cakes.

Although a sweep of neighbouring houses and buildings has ruled out the presence of any further black widows in Southampton, Ms Jessey says: "Very high numbers of tropical brown widows were present."

Although "quite common" in Bermuda, people are advised not to handle these spiders or black widows. Instead they should be destroyed with a household insecticide spray.

Ms Jessey says black widow spiders have previously been found in shipments of fruit and vegetables.

But she adds: "The latest sightings are cause for concern as the spiders were well settled in their respective thick, dense, sticky webs with evidence of several previous insect meals nearby, suggesting the spiders had not recently arrived and may have been present for some months prior to being noticed by the homeowner.

"Surveys of the area of the original black widow sighting will be carried out periodically to confirm whether or not the spider has established in this area."

To subscribe to 'Envirotalk', telephone 239-2310 or e-mail agreen@gov.bm.