Menu

SafetyLow risk

Are White-Tailed Spiders Dangerous?

Written by PestMan Editorial TeamTechnical review pendingPublished Updated

Quick answer

White-tailed spiders are not considered dangerous. Their bite can cause local pain, redness, swelling and itching, but research on confirmed bites found no cases of the "flesh-eating" ulcers they are often blamed for. See a doctor about any wound that is getting worse, because other causes such as infection need proper treatment.

Why this happens

The belief that white-tailed spiders cause necrotic ulcers spread in the 1980s and 1990s. A study of confirmed bites, where the spider was caught and identified, found mostly mild effects and no necrotic ulcers.

White-tailed spiders hunt other spiders at night and often wander indoors, which is why they turn up in bedding, towels and clothes left on the floor. Most bites happen when a spider is trapped against skin.

What you may be seeing

  • A slender, cigar-shaped dark grey spider with a pale spot at the tip of its body.
  • Spiders on walls, in bathrooms or in bedding at night.

What you can do

  • Shake out towels, clothes and bedding left on the floor.
  • Reduce other spiders (their prey) by removing webs regularly.
  • Relocate white-tailed spiders outside with a container and card.
  • For a bite, wash the area, apply a cold pack and see a doctor if pain or swelling is severe or the wound worsens.

When professional help may be needed

Pest control is rarely needed for white-tailed spiders alone. Reducing other household spiders and sealing gaps is usually enough.

Spiders

Eight-legged predators that feed on insects. Most household spiders are harmless and useful, but a few Australian species, such as redbacks and funnel-webs, need to be treated with care.

Species mentioned

White-tailed Spider

Lampona spp.

A slender, dark hunting spider with a white tip on its abdomen that wanders indoors at night. Research has not supported the belief that its bite causes flesh-eating ulcers.

Guide

How to Pest-Proof Your Home

A practical, room-by-room approach to reducing pests without relying on chemicals: remove what attracts them, close the ways in, and make your property less comfortable for them.

Guide

Common Brisbane Household Pests

A Brisbane-specific overview of the pests residents meet most often, when they are active, and what the subtropical climate, storms, creeks and Queenslander homes mean for pest pressure.

Guide

Pest Prevention Checklist

A printable seasonal checklist of simple, low-cost tasks that reduce pests around Australian homes, with the reason behind each step and extra lists for renters, apartment residents, pet owners and Queenslander owners.

Still have a question?

Ask PestMan. We’ll show you any answers we already have — and if we don’t have one yet, your question helps decide what we answer next.

Sources & further reading

PestMan provides general information only and does not replace licensed pest-management, medical, veterinary or structural advice. Always read and follow product labels. Read our disclaimer.