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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.

Written by PestMan Editorial TeamTechnical review pendingPublished Updated
Legs
Eight, no antennae
Medically significant
Redback, funnel-web
Most noticeable
Late summer and autumn
Emergency
Funnel-web bite: bandage, call 000
Risk level
Low to high by species

Spider identification

How to recognise spiders

  • Eight legs, two body segments (cephalothorax and abdomen) and no antennae.
  • Web builders (orb weavers, redbacks, daddy long-legs) stay in or near webs; hunters (huntsman, white-tailed spiders) roam.
  • Redback: female glossy black with an orange-red stripe on the abdomen; untidy tangled web in dry sheltered spots.
  • Huntsman: large, flat, long-legged, grey-brown; moves sideways quickly.

Common species in Australia

Redback Spider

Latrodectus hasselti

A small, medically significant Australian spider found in dry, sheltered spots around homes. The female’s bite can cause severe pain and illness, and medical advice should be sought.

Huntsman Spider

Family Sparassidae

Large, flat, fast-moving spiders that hunt insects on walls and under bark. They are alarming to many people but are not considered dangerous.

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.

Spider overview

Spiders are arachnids, not insects. They have eight legs, two body parts and no antennae. Most spiders around homes eat flies, mosquitoes, moths and cockroaches, so seeing more spiders often means there are more insects nearby.

Species that matter most for household safety include the redback spider and, in parts of NSW and South East Queensland, funnel-web spiders. The large huntsman spider is alarming to many people but is not considered dangerous. Claims that the white-tailed spider causes flesh-eating ulcers are not supported by research.

Behaviour

  • Many spiders build webs near lights, windows and eaves because insects gather there.
  • Hunting spiders wander indoors at night following prey or when disturbed by rain or heat.
  • Spiders generally bite defensively when pressed against skin or trapped in clothing or shoes.

Habitat

  • Eaves, window frames, pergolas, letterboxes and outdoor furniture.
  • Redbacks: dry, sheltered, undisturbed places such as under BBQs, pot rims, sheds and play equipment.
  • Huntsman: under bark, behind shutters, in car sun visors and inside on walls.

Lifecycle

  • Females lay eggs into silk egg sacs; spiderlings disperse after hatching.
  • Spiders moult several times as they grow; many species live one to two years.

Food sources

  • Flying and crawling insects, including flies, moths, mosquitoes and cockroaches.
  • Other spiders.

Entry points

  • Open windows and doors without screens.
  • Gaps under doors and around frames.
  • Carried in on washing, firewood, plants and outdoor items.

Infestation signs

  • Webs in corners, eaves and around lights.
  • Egg sacs in sheltered spots.
  • Spiders on walls after rain or at night.

Health implications

  • Redback bites can cause significant pain, sweating and illness; seek medical advice. Apply a cold pack; a pressure bandage is not recommended for redback bites.
  • Funnel-web bites are potentially life-threatening: apply a pressure-immobilisation bandage, keep the person still and call 000.
  • Antivenoms are available for redback and funnel-web bites. For advice, the Poisons Information Centre is available on 13 11 26.

Prevention

  • Reduce outdoor lighting near doors or use warmer, yellow-toned bulbs that attract fewer insects.
  • Fit and repair fly screens; seal gaps under doors.
  • Remove webs and egg sacs regularly with a broom or vacuum.
  • Wear gloves when gardening or moving stored items; shake out shoes and gloves left outside.

Treatment overview

  • Web removal and reducing insect prey near the house are the foundation of spider management.
  • Targeted treatments to eaves, window frames and sheltered harbourage can reduce web-building spiders; they rarely eliminate spiders permanently.
  • Follow product labels and keep children and pets away from treated areas as directed.
Product safety

If you use any pest product, read the label first and follow it exactly — it is a legal requirement in Australia. Keep products away from children, pets and food areas as the label directs.

Questions about spiders

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Cockroaches

Fast, flat-bodied insects that hide in warm, damp gaps and come out at night to feed. A few introduced species cause most household problems in Australia.

Mosquitoes

Small biting flies that breed in still water. Beyond itchy bites, some Australian mosquitoes spread viruses such as Ross River virus, so reducing bites and breeding sites matters.

Wasps

Stinging insects that build paper nests under eaves, in shrubs, walls or the ground. Paper wasps are common across Australia; the invasive European wasp is a serious pest in southern states.

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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.