Spider Identification and Prevention

Sydney is home to a wide range of spiders, and while most are harmless, a few demand real respect. Being able to tell them apart takes some of the fear out of finding one, and knowing where they shelter is the first step to keeping them out.

The dangerous ones

Redback spider

Black with a distinctive red stripe on the abdomen, redbacks build messy webs in dry, sheltered spots such as under outdoor furniture, in letterboxes and around play equipment. Their bite is a genuine medical concern, especially for children.

Funnel web spider

Glossy black and robust, funnel webs live in silk lined burrows in moist ground and are among the most venomous spiders in the world. Males wander after rain and can end up in garages and swimming pools. A bite is a medical emergency.

The harmless but unwelcome

Huntsman spider

Large, flat and fast, huntsmen look alarming but are not dangerous. They shelter behind bark, in roof voids and behind wall hangings, and help control other insects.

White tail spider

Slender and grey with a pale tail mark, white tails wander indoors hunting other spiders. Their bite can be painful, though the feared link to serious skin ulcers is not supported by research.

How to prevent spiders

• Knock down webs regularly around eaves and windows
• Reduce clutter in sheds, garages and around the yard
• Seal gaps around doors, windows and vents
• Keep outdoor lighting away from doorways, as it attracts the insects spiders feed on
• Store shoes and gloves indoors, and shake them out if left outside

How professional treatment helps

A spider treatment applies a residual product to the areas where spiders shelter and hunt: eaves, window frames, fences, retaining walls and other harbourage. It reduces both the webbing spiders and the ground dwellers, and because it lowers the wider insect population, it removes the food source that draws hunting spiders indoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will treatment get rid of funnel webs?

Treatment reduces activity, but funnel webs live in burrows and can wander in during wet weather. Stay cautious in the garden and keep footwear indoors.

How often should I treat for spiders?

An annual treatment keeps numbers low for most homes, ideally timed for spring.

Talk to Aries Pest Solutions

If you would like a professional opinion, Aries Pest Solutions is owner operated and services homes right across Sydney. Call Nabil on 0495 024 440 for honest advice and a free, no obligation quote.