Guide To Control Australian Spiders

Top 10 Most Deadly Spiders of Australia

Australia is home to hundreds of spiders. Even though spiders look scary, they play an important role in our ecosystem. Even so, some spiders are poisonous and downright deadly. It’s important to know which spiders to look out for in Australia to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Keep reading to learn about 10 of the most common spiders in Australia.

Top 10 Australian Spiders

1. White-Tailed Spider

• Scientific Name: Lampona cylindrata or Lampona murina
• Habitat: Cool, dark area
• Size: 28 mm
• Diet: Other spiders and insects

The White-Tailed Spider is named after the white tip located at the end of their abdomen. Although White-Tailed Spiders are not deadly, their bites can leave red marks, which leads to itchiness, swelling, and some pain. In more serious cases, the bite can lead to nausea, vomiting, and headache as well.

2. Daddy Long Legs Spider

• Scientific Name: Pholcidae, especially Pholcus phalangioides
• Habitat: Dark and damp shelters
• Size: 50 mm
• Diet: Insects

Daddy Long Legs Spiders are some of the most common spiders worldwide. Thousands of species fall into this family. It is possible to be bitten by this spider, but the venom does not cause harm. At most, the spider bites can cause a short-lived tingling feeling, but it quickly goes away on its own.

3. Black House Spider

• Scientific Name: Badumna insignis
• Habitat: Webs in corners
• Size: 30 mm
• Diet: Insects

The Black House Spider is known for its dark and robust body. These spiders are venomous, but they are very timid. If bit, you may experience excruciating pain, local swelling, nausea, sweating, and vomiting. Some cases of skin lesions have been reported after multiple bites.

4.      Brown House Spider

• Scientific Name: Steatoda grossa
• Habitat: Dark, undisturbed areas
• Size: 5 mm
• Diet: Insects

The Brown House Spider is often mistaken for the Redback Spider because it has a bulbous backside. Despite the similar appearance, the bite of the Brown House Spider is not deadly. In a worst-case scenario, you might experience fever, pain, and headaches.

5. Wolf Spider

• Scientific Name: Lycosidae
• Habitat: Various, opportunistic
• Size: 10-35 mm
• Diet: insects

Wolf Spiders are opportunistic hunters. They have great vision, which is unusual for spiders. It is unclear exactly how dangerous these spiders are. It is known that they will continually inject venom if provoked, leading to pain, itchiness, and swelling. Some cases of necrotic bites have been reported, but it’s inconclusive if this was caused by a Wolf Spider.

6. Saint Andrew’s Cross Spider

• Scientific Name: Argiope keyserlingi
• Habitat: Around shrubby vegetation
• Size: 10-16 mm
• Diet: Insects

The Saint Andrews Cross Spider is named as such because it creates webs while leaving its arms in an X shape. Although these spiders can be intimidating to look at, they are harmless. If bit, you might have a little bit of irritation, but nothing medically concerning will happen.

7. Huntsman Spider

• Scientific Name: Sparassidae
• Habitat: Dark, quiet areas
• Size: 25-30 cm
• Diet: Insects, invertebrates

Huntsman Spiders are known for their speed. They are much larger than other spider types. This spider can be harmful to humans. A bite can cause swelling, pain, headache, nausea, heart palpitations, infections, and neurologic toxin effects.

8. Redback Spider

• Scientific Name: Latrodectus hasselti
• Habitat: Dark, uninterrupted areas
• Size: 4-10 mm
• Diet: Insects

The Redback Spider, sometimes called the Australian Black Widow, is highly venomous. It is known for its red or sometimes orange stripe. Male bites are not very serious, but female bites can lead to death in small children. If treated, you can escape death, but you will still experience pain, sweating, and swelling.

9. Garden Orb-Weaving Spider

• Scientific Name: Eriophora
• Habitat: Around shrubs and other openings
• Size: 20-30 cm
• Diet: Insects

The Garden Orb-Weaving Spider is a gorgeous yet harmless spider. These spiders are known for being very timid. If forced to bite, the venom is not very dangerous. You might experience mild pain, swelling, and numbness, but it usually goes away quickly.

10. Funnel Web Spider

• Scientific Name: Atracidae
• Habitat: Moist, cool, and sheltered areas
• Size: 10-50 mm
• Diet: Insects

The Funnel Web Spider is found in eastern Australia. It has a black or dark brown glossy body. Many spider bites from this spider produce fatal results. Bites should be treated immediately.

How to Control Australian Spiders

Sealing up your home and decreasing the humidity will minimize spiders. That’s because there won’t be any gaps for the spiders to come in through, and the dry environment is not as welcoming for most spider types. If you have a spider problem, contact pest control specialists of https://www.propestcontroladelaide.com.au/ to eradicate them.

Spider Bite Emergency Procedures

If you are bitten by a spider, determine what kind of a spider it was. Get medical help immediately if it was a particularly dangerous spider, such as a Redback Spider.

For less dangerous spiders, clean the wound with water and mild soap. Apply a cool compress to the area for 15 minutes and elevate the affected area. You might want to use over-the-counter pain relievers or antihistamines as well.

Conclusion

The 10 spiders above are some of the most common in Australia, but there are many others. If you are bit by a spider, try to determine the spider type to seek medical attention if needed. If symptoms persist and become unmanageable, get in contact with the doctor, regardless of the spider type.