Spider Control

The Truth about Spiders

There are many varieties of spiders, though not all are venomous. Spiders usually only bite when provoked, but care should be exercised in all contact with these creatures. If you suspect any spiders may have infested your home, call Scientific Pest Management^® to discuss your spider pest control solutions.

Unpopular as they are, few spiders are actually harmful to humans, generally with fangs too weak or small to puncture our skin. The majority are guilty only of annoying us with their habit of building webs across doorways etc and scaring us when we least expect it ! However, destruction of any insect or spider should be avoided unless they are directly detrimental in some way. Spiders can often be beneficial by feeding on insects like flies and crickets, carrying out their role in balancing the ecosystem.

Redback Spider (Latrodectus Hasselti)

Found in many areas of Australia
The female Redback spider is about 10mm in length and has a black velvet-like body with a red or orange stripe on the upper surface of the abdomen
Makes loose webs in places containing stacked goods or rubbish
Bites are painless, with intense pain after about five minutes
Symptoms: localised sweating at the bite site, muscular weakness, lack of co-ordination, paralysis, tremors, nausea, vomiting, local swelling, dizziness or fainting, palpitations and fever.

Sydney Funnelweb Spider (Atrax Robustus)

One of the most toxic in Australia
Both sexes are dangerous and aggressive
May enter houses after heavy rain or landscaping
25-30mm in length with a shiny black to dark brown head/thorax, and a black to dark plum abdomen
Bites are painful and can be fatal

Whitetailed Spider (Lampona Cylindrata)

Found throughout Australia and common in urban environments
The male spider wonder at night, while female spider rest in tree barks and similar places
Found inside bathrooms, kitchens and laundries
They have a long, cigar-shaped body between 5-15mm in length. They are grey in colour with a white spot on the tip of the abdomen
Bites are painful and will cause localised swelling and ulceration

St Andrews Cross Spider

Acquired it's name from the cross of white silk often found in the centre of their orb web
Cross also reflected in the position of their legs
They are equally active at night as during the day
They build their web in and around small shrubs and against walls
This species has not been known to bite

Huntsman Spider

Recognised by their flattened body and the tendency for their legs to turn frontwards when stationary.
The are most active at night. They hide under the bark of trees during the day, coming out at night to hunt over tree trunks and on the ground
They are often found inside homes at night on walls and ceilings
The Huntsman is a fast moving spider, but timid in nature and will only bite if handled
Symptoms: Some local discolouration and swelling may occur in addition to dizziness, vomiting, lethargy, irregular pulse and sweating

Black House Spider (Badumna Insignis)

One of the most common spiders found around houses and buildings
They make webs around windows, under eaves and in bark fissures of trees
The female spider is about 12mm long, brown to dark grey/black in colour, with banded dark and pale legs and they have a small head and large abdomen
Bites can cause severe pain
Symptoms: numbness, headache, giddiness, nausea, vomiting, sweating and muscular pain

Sydney Brown Trapdoor Spider (Misgolas Rapas)

Similar to the funnelweb spider
Found in holes in the ground
The female spider is typically dark brown and the head/thorax region is hairy and not shiny
They will bite if provoked, but no fatalities have been recorded

Mouse Spiders (Missulena Spp.)

Found throughout Australia and are often confused with the Funnelweb spider
Known to be very robust spiders. Males wander at night, while the females build nesting burrows that have a door or a lid
They are about 25mm in length and are black in colour with reddish coloured hairs
The bite is painful and will cause localised swelling, burning or itchiness

Garden Orb Web Spiders

Moderately large spiders with a plump triangular shape
They build sticky webs, usually between low trees and shrubs
They have a docile nature and will only bite if roughly handled
Symptoms: mild pain, nausea, dizziness, numbness and swelling around the bite

Wolf Spider

Identified by the light brown/ black marking on it's back which may resemble a Union Jack pattern
They are ground hunters and can be found in gardens where they dig burrows in the soil or live among fallen leaves
The Wolf Spider will bite if mishandled
Symptoms: rapid pulse, dizziness, nausea, swelling and persistent pain and tingling. However, most bites will cause no reaction

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