Spiders

Spiders

SPIDERS! Just the Name scares a lot of Australians and when three of the world’s top six most deadliest spiders are in NSW it is important to protect your home and family.

Australia contains some of the most venomous and dangerous spiders and it is important to be able to identify the spiders that may dwell on your property and surrounds.

Spiders are a part of the arachnid family and contain eight jointed legs, their bodies are separated into two sections unlike insects which are made up of six legs and three body sections. They contain no wings or antennae.

Unlike other arachnids spiders are capable of generating silk of various types mainly to build their webs or catch their prey. Majority of them contain venom which is used to eat or as a defence mechanism when threatened.

The Cephalothorax is a fused head and thorax in which contains the legs, eyes, chelicerae and other mouth parts and the palps. These are often mistaken as another set of legs, their purpose is sensory and in the male spider are also used for reproduction purposes. The Abdomen joins the cephalothorax via a thin waist and contains the spinnerets which produce silk / web.

Spider population is not only dependent on the time of year it is but also where you live and the surrounds of your property such as if you live on a farm or near a forest. Adult spiders are seen to be more active around late spring to early autumn as it is this time of year that insects (their food source) is most abundant. However they are still found during winter if the conditions are right. Wet weather has also been seen to draw out more spiders as they enter our homes away from the rain.

However spiders do play an important role in the environment or around your home, garden, yard, workplace and school as they reduce the insect population by controlling mosquitoes and fly numbers. They are also a great food source for larger animals such as birds, lizards and small mammals. But it is very important to ensure that the pest population doesn’t get out of control around your property which can risk the safety of your family.

Have you found a spider but are not sure what it is or if it is dangerous? Use our guide below which outlines a few of the more commonly found spiders in our region.

Protect your family and pets from deadly spiders, call for a free quote 6884 7557

Spider Indentification

Deadly & Dangerous

Sydney Funnel-Web

Female

– Approx. 30mm in body length, shiny black with a dark purplish brown abdomen reddish hairs.
– Distinctive features include long spinnerets (the appendages on the end of the body)

Male

– Approx. 25mm in body length, shiny black with a dark purplish brown abdomen reddish hairs.
– Distinctive features include are spurs on two of its legs.

One of the world’s most deadly and aggressive spiders however an anti-venom is available in most hospitals. If bitten medical attention should be sought without delay as both males and females carry the most dangerous toxins; Atraxotoxin.

Location: Mostly found wandering around the garden after heavy rain, the funnel-web is a ground dwelling spider and likes to live in damp soil areas along the eastern coast area of New South Wales and Victoria. There is also the Blue Mountains Funnel-web found in the blue mountains and can be occasionally seen in Bathurst and Orange and the Northern Tree Funnel web which is located in south-eastern Queensland and down south to the Hunter Valley region in New South Wales.

Symptoms of a Funnel-Web Spider Bite: Don’t panic! The individual will feel great pain around the bite and will generally have nausea, and abdominal pain to follow. You may experience difficulty to breathe and the body will secrete, sweat and produce excessive saliva. Some also experience heavy coughing. If bitten apply pressure, reduce movement as much as possible and contact medical attention as soon as possible.

Red Back Spider

Red back spiders do NOT always have a red marking and sizes can vary greatly. Males can be very small and the female can grow to have an abdomen the size of a large pea with small fangs. The female spider is responsible for almost all cases of redback spider bites due to the male’s smaller fangs andsize, though it is still poisonous.

Red back spiders are highly venomous, one bite is extremely painful and can be fatal, only a small amount of venom can cause serious illness through the nervous system. The elderly and children have a stronger reaction to a Red Back bite.

Location: Found Australia wide in dry environments, they usually take home in letter boxes, undersides of seats, in rubbish, empty containers, under the house and in out-houses.

Symptoms of a Red Back Bite: Don’t panic! A lot of bites may go unnoticed but sometimes you will feel a sharp pin prick followed by extreme pain. Other symptoms can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain and some loss of muscle control, sweating and swelling of infected area. If bitten apply a covered ice pack to the area to reduce swelling and pain, reduce excess movement and contact medical assistance. An effective anti-venom was developed in 1956 which can be administered once medical assistance is sought

White Tail Spider

Fully grown can vary 12-20mm in body length and are general grey to black in colour with a white section on the end of its tail.

Venomous and possibly dangerous.

Location: Found Australia and prefer cool damp areas. Often found in garden areas and in warmer seasons can be found in buildings and bathrooms to escape the heat. White Tails like to hunt mostly at night and can often be found amongst clothing, linen and in shoes.

Symptoms of a White Tail Bite: In some rare cases a severe allergic reaction causes blistering or ulceration on the skin which has been linked to a white tail bite however the severity of their bite is heavily debated due to scientific research that has found a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans which is carried on white tail fangs and may actual be a cause for this reaction. Other symptoms can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain and some loss of muscle control, sweating and swelling of infected area. If bitten apply a covered ice pack to the area to reduce swelling and pain, reduce excess movement and contact medical assistance.

Poisonous & Toxic

Mouse Spider

Female

– Can be usually mistaken for the Funnel-web spider being the only differences is the two spinnerets at the bottom of the abdomen on a mouse spider are considerably smaller.
– The female is considered to be a medium to large spider which can grow to around 35mm in body.

Male

– Has a bright red head with extended fangs
– Male mouse spiders lack the spurs as seen on the male Funnel-Web spider

Mouse spiders have a very painful bite and are venomous. Not normally aggressive the male mouse spider only bites when aggravated however these should be seen as dangerous as they have large fangs which can inflict a painful deep bite.

LOCATION: Mouse spiders are found Australia wide and live burrows that can go one meter into the ground. Male will go out in search of females during the day, especially after rain.

SYMPTONS OF A MOUSE SPIDER BITE: Is very similar to a Red Back Spider bite and can cause severe illness. Symptoms can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain and some loss of muscle control, sweating and swelling of infected area. If bitten apply a covered ice pack to the area to reduce swelling and pain, reduce excess movement and contact medical assistance.

Black House Spider

Fully Grown can mature to 15mm in length and have a dark brown / black velvet appearance.

Black House spiders are toxic and can cause nausea however they are not fatal.

Location: Found Australia wide and like to create a messy web in dry environments in hidden areas. You are most likely to locate them around the windows or eaves and brickwork.

Symptoms of a Black House Spider Bite: Can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain and some loss of muscle control, sweating and swelling of infected area. If bitten apply a covered ice pack to the area to reduce swelling and pain, reduce excess movement and contact medical assistance.

Wolf Spider

Fully Grown can mature to 15-30mm in length and have a speckled grey to brown colour with a distinguishing Union Jack impression on its back. Females are also seen to carry their offspring on their back.

Wolf spiders are seen as toxic however are not aggressive but will bite if they are aggravated.

Location: Found Australia wide silk burrow dwellers. They enjoy roaming at night to hunt their prey and can move quickly if bothered. Most commonly seen in garden areas around their burrows which they may cover with leaves or a lid.

Symptoms of a Wolf Spider Bite: Can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain and some loss of muscle control, sweating and swelling of infected area. If bitten apply a covered ice pack to the area to reduce swelling and pain, reduce excess movement and contact medical assistance.

Low Risk

Trap Door Spider

Female

– Can grow to about 35mm in body and are a brown to dark brown with lots of fine hairs.

Male

– Has a distinct boxing glove-shaved palps and feelers at the front of its head.

Trap doors are not an aggressive spider and considered low risk to humans. They generally are placid but will arise and bare fangs if aggravated.
Location: Found Australia wide in 250mm long silk burrows and about 25mm wide. They enjoy nesting in dry open areas and have a lid on the entrance of their burrow.

Symptoms of a Trapdoor Spider Bite: Even though they are timid spiders their bite can be painful causing headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating and swelling of infected area. If bitten apply a covered ice pack to the area to reduce swelling and pain, reduce excess movement and contact medical assistance.

Garden Orb Weaving Spider

Fully Grown can mature to 20-30mm in length and have a round abdomen usually very colourful with varied dark to light patterns. Commonly they will have a purplish round abdomen covered with fine hairs.

Garden Orb-Weaving spiders are considered low risk to humans as they rarely bite. However it is not uncommon to walk into webs at night which scares most people at the risk of being bitten.

Location: Found Australia wide but mainly around bushland on the eastern coast. They enjoy garden areas and spin large webs which can be two meters or more between bushings or buildings to catch their prey.

Symptons of a Garden Orb Weaving Spider: The symptoms are mild pain and numbness some swelling and at times nausea and dizziness. If bitten apply a covered ice pack to the area to reduce swelling and pain, reduce

St Andrews Cross Spider

Fully Grown can mature to 15-30mm in length and have a speckled grey to brown colour with a distinguishing Union Jack impression on its back. Females are also seen to carry their offspring on their back.

St Andrews Cross Spider are considered low risk to humans as they rarely bite.

Location: Found Australia wide but mainly around gardens and are favourable as they catch a lot of flying insects around the home.

Symptoms of a St Andrews Cross Spider Bite: St Andrews might bite if they are grabbed however they have no interest in biting humans other than to defend themselves. They are not considered a medical

Huntsman Spider

Fully Grown can mature to 15mm in body with long legs which can bring their overall size to around 45mm. They are a hairy brown spider with some dark areas. Their first two legs are longer than the rear two.

The Huntsman Spider are considered low risk to humans as they rarely bite and are a timid spider that can move very quickly when disturbed. However it is better to avoid a female guarding her eggs or young as they will protect them.

Location: Found Australia wide under bark on trees, rocks, within roof voids or eaves.

Symptoms of a Huntsman Spider Bite: Can cause localised swelling and mild pain which goes within a few days.