There are many hundreds of species of spiders in Australia.
Here in Brisbane, the redback spider is probably the most feared and with good reason – the bite is extremely painful, causing a burning sensation which progresses up the limb and lasts for around a day, as well as nausea, vomiting, headaches and agitation.
Redback spiders are mostly found in sheltered dry areas outside the home, such as:
- beneath seats and window sills;
- under decks and verandahs;
- nestled under bin lids;
- tucked up against garage doors and rock walls;
- and unfortunately, under children’s toys/play equipment.
Even outdoor Christmas decorations can make an attractive spot for a redback to nest. It’s a good idea to teach your children from a very young age how to recognise and avoid the bulbous black spider with the red marking, the messy looking web they create, and how to check under toys etc.
Redback spiders have multiple generations in any given year, and can become a problem fairly quickly. To help keep them under control, if you come across their egg sacks (round, and cotton ball looking but a lot smaller), you should squash them and throw them in the bin (of course making sure it is clear of the spider when doing so).
For many years it was believed that the most toxic of Australian spiders, the funnel web, was limited to the Sydney and Blue Mountains area. However we now know that they have been found much further north, including in Brisbane. Funnel webs live in holes in the ground, with a light web over the entrance of the hole. Fortunately they don’t usually venture too far out of their holes, except in heavy rain, or if they feel threatened.
In case of a bite from a redback or funnel web spider, please seek medical assistance urgently (call 000).
There are many other spiders common in Brisbane, which can also inflict a nasty bite which is why people often call us for spider pest control services.
