Spider Pest Control

Funnel Web Spider

Apppearance

Shiny, dark brown to black with finger-like spinnerets at the end of their abdomen which spin silk. Have impressive fangs which they bare when threatened.

Lifestyle

They can wander into suburban environments and become trapped. They may even take shelter in a shoe! Their bites are dangerous, and first aid should be given immediately with a pressure bandage and immobilisation. The venom has a neurotoxin that attacks the human nervous system. However, there have been no fatalities since an antivenom was developed. Patients should be taken immediately to hospital.

Habits

Funnel-webs can be found in both urban areas and forests. They shelter under logs and rocks or anywhere they can find a cool and humid climate. Once they spot prey they will rush out – they eat beetles, cockroaches, lizards and snails. They trip up their prey with silken lines around their burrow.

Red Back Spider

Apppearance

Female Redback spiders are black a distinct orange/red longitudinal stripe on the upper abdomen. They have an ‘hourglass’ shaped spot on the underside. The male’s markings are paler and less obvious.

Lifestyle

Redback spiders usually prey on insects, plus sometimes other spiders and small lizards. Male Redbacks do not produce a web but can be found on the fringe of a female’s web. Most males do not survive the deadly mating process, and only the female bite is deadly. Redback spider bites occur frequently in summer, although humans are not likely to be bitten unless a hand is put directly into the web. An antivenom is available.

Habits

A Redback spider’s web consists of a tangled, funnel-like area from which vertical, sticky threads run. They like being close to human habitation, with webs built in dry, sheltered sites. Usually these are in nature but sometimes they include sheds and toilets! They are more common in summer.

White Tail Spider

Apppearance

Cylindrical in shape, females are 12-15mm, Male 5-8mm. Their bodies are grey or black with a white tip on the end, plus several white spots on the back.

Lifestyle

These spiders are vagrant hunters; instead of spinning webs and eating insects they feast on other spiders, including Daddy Long Legs, Redback Spiders and Black House Spiders. They are not aggressive but if provoked they will bite readily and repeatedly! Their bites can cause redness and blisters at the site of the bite, plus headaches, pain and itchiness.

Habits

White-tail spiders are crawling and hunting insects. They are found across both Australia and New Zealand and like to hide under stones, bark, leaves and under the bark of trees. They often enter homes in search of food and can be found lurking on walls at night.

Huntsman Spider

Apppearance

Body – 2.5cm. Legs: Approx. 12.7 cm (can be longer). Hairy and somewhat flattened, eyes arranged in 2 rows of four.

Lifestyle

Huntsman emerge at night to search for food and can enter homes during wet weather or when hungry. They often terrify spider haters because of their size and hairy appearance! However, bites rarely occur, and no known fatalities exist. They feed on other insects and can be considered useful for the ecosystem.

Habits

The huntsman is a crawling and hunting spider that has the ability to scuttle sideways easily with their long legs. Mostly non-aggressive, they will avoid defending themselves and prefer to escape from danger rather than fight. They shelter under bark or in a warm, moist hiding place.