Spiders Control
Spiders Control
Australia is home to the world’s most unique spiders, including the redback spider and funnel-web. In general, spiders are not dangerous and are in most cases beneficial to the environment. Spiders can be divided into two groups – those that spin webs and those that are ground dwelling. Ground dwelling spiders do not build spider webs but dwell in rubbish, under leaves, in holes, vents, the garden etc., either emerging to hunt down their prey or ambushing the unwary from their chosen location. Most webbing spiders are not dangerous, though you may not like the look of their webs around the house. In the home, the corners of the floor, windows or ceiling, lamps, curtains, and gutters make suitable sites for these spiders. Most spiders are active at night.
Beware of these spiders:
Redback Spider
This spider is found all over Australia and it is the female to avoid; the much smaller male does not bite. The female is small, black and characterized by a red stripe on top of its abdomen. Redbacks build their webs in dry, protected spots such as garden sheds, in logs, rubbish, and toilets. The bite is immediately painful but slow acting and, since the introduction of antivenin has not caused any fatalities. Apply ice packs and seek first aid. Redbacks rarely leave their web – avoidance of the web is the best way to avoid bites.
White-tailed spider
A ground-dwelling hunter, this reddish-grey spider eats mostly other spiders. Occurring mostly in south-east Australia, it is often found inside homes, in bathrooms, cracks and crevices and cupboards. Outdoors, its favored hiding spots include under bark, leaf litter, and logs. Check bedding, clothes, and shoes. Some unverified reports suggest the bite can lead to ulcers and tissue necrosis – seek medical attention.
Huntsman
The exception to the rule. These large, flat brown spiders look fearsome with their hairy, long legs but they actually prey on the much more dangerous white-tailed spider, as well as cockroaches and other insects. Huntsman can be found under bark during daylight hours, as well as in cars. Bites are not serious though may cause localized pain and swelling. Apply a cold pack.
Mouse spider
These spiders build burrows in creeks and rivers. Females are large, with dark brown to black bodies and are often confused for a funnel-web or trapdoor spider. Its bite is toxic and painful – apply a pressure bandage and seek medical attention.
Black and grey house spider
Also known as the window spider, this web-spinning spider can be found hiding in dark corners of windows and wall crevices, as well as on logs, tree trunks and under the bark. They are dark brown to black in color with body markings. Capable of giving a painful bite, though they are not aggressive.
some of the popular household invading spiders are:
Wolf Spiders:
They are spiders that are unique to the solitary life they are known for. They are endowed with eight eyes set in three rows that aid their good eyesight for hunting. Some Wolf Spiders live in coastal areas and some live on the land (hence the household invasion). They have a really wide distribution as a result of their aerial dispersing method. Some Wolf Spiders often house themselves in hole-like houses that are naturally open at the entrance or filled with trapping webs for preys.
Brown recluse spiders:
Alson known as a fiddleback spider, the recluse spider has potentially dangerous venom that can be haemotoxic, damaging the blood and skin as well. Alarming emails have circulated about this spider inflicting terrible damage to human tissue but this was only a hoax meant to scare people.
In 20 years that fiddleback spiders been known to exist in Australia, their range hasn’t increased and not a single envenomation case has been reported here, so despite the myth, this spider can hardly be considered dangerous in Australia – though they are a major cause of serious bites in South America. Moreover, they are known to only have tiny fangs to inject their venom and are not inclined to bite.
Black widow spiders:
They are mostly initially found in wood piles and the inside of firewood. They gain entrance into the house mainly by being carried alongside firewood or woodpiles for outdoor works. Thereafter, they establish themselves in boxes in the house or remain in the firewood
How Can We Control Spiders?
Spiders are a reality of Australian life, but a great majority of them are not dangerous. In most cases, sensible precautionary measures will keep you safe from spiders. For example, do not leave clothes or shoes outside at night, wear appropriate clothing such as gloves when working in the garden and don’t walk outside at night barefoot. Teach children to never touch spiders – and follow suit yourself. Repair cracks and crevices and cover vents and weep holes (the small holes cut into brickwork that allows moisture to escape) with mesh and attach flyscreens to windows. Keep external lights switched off at night, as these would otherwise attract insects, which in turn will attract spiders. If you do find the odd lone spider in the house, and you are very sure that it is not poisonous (such as a huntsman), return it to the great outdoors by using a glass jar and stiff piece of paper to catch and transport it.
A professional pest controller like (Us) we do a thorough inspection of your property, check all likely habitats such as corners of windows, along cornices and be skirting, behind curtains, in ceiling voids, gutter lines, outdoor furniture, and garden areas, and advise on potential entry points. If dangerous spiders are found, talk to us about what options you have. The use of chemicals may not be the best option: spraying spider webs and using chemical barrier-style treatments against crawling spiders may not be particularly effective.