If you’re living in Australia, it’s no secret: you’re likely sharing your home with an assortment of spider varieties. Of course, you may not always come across them face-to-face. No, they could be camping out in any one of the hidden corners, nooks or crannies scattered around your house, which is, admittedly, all the more concerning – especially if you’re looking at moving into a new, unfamiliar property.
If purchasing a new home is on your mind, it’s always a good idea to call in locally-based experts to check out what pests could be inhabiting the space before you move in – like professionals who specialise in new home inspections in Warrnambool, if you’re located near the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, for example.
But regardless of where in Australia you’re residing, when the goal is to rid your property of an arachnid infestation, it pays to know what type of pest you’re up against. Stay with us as we help identify some of the different varieties of spiders that could be living in your home.
Hairy Huntsmen: Mostly Harmless?
Arguably, the most commonly known (and often, commonly feared) Australian spider is the humble Huntsman.
But as ferocious as their external appearance may seem: hairy, googly-eyed and relatively large in diameter (their fur-covered legs can reach up to 15 centimetres long), they are, on the whole, mostly harmless to humans.
If left unprovoked, they’re unlikely to bite: the huntsman spider is not naturally aggressive and is more likely to scurry away to escape you than to attack.
Red Alert: Beware of ‘Redbacks’
Redback spiders, on the other hand, are a spider variety to be a little more fearful of. The females, in particular, sport large, pointy fangs long enough to pierce and penetrate human skin.
The good news? They can be easily identified: the venomous ones (read: females), while predominantly black in colour, are adorned with a red-tinged stripe on their backs.
If you get bitten, though, be aware: you’re likely to experience nausea, vomiting, sweating, and considerable pain. But thankfully, there is a cure: an antivenom was introduced in 1956. Since then, there have been no recorded deaths from redback spider bites, a real win for modern medicine.
Easy to Spot: White Tailed Spiders
Another slightly scary spider variety: the white tailed spider.
How to spot one? While the majority of their cylindrical body is a dark reddish-brown, their rear end features a conspicuous white tip – hence their name. They can also be identified by the unusual, orangey-brown stripes adorning their limbs.
Like the huntsman, though, white tailed spiders look more lethal than they actually are. They, too, are not particularly aggressive and will only tend to bite if you threaten them.
In the unlikely event you do get bitten, the symptoms of a white tailed spider bite are, in general, quite mild: a slight burning sensation, some swelling, and itchiness that will subside over time.
Wolf Spiders: A Bark Worse Than Their Bite?
Finally, the wolf spider. Named for its grey-furred exterior, this is another example of an arachnid we shouldn’t be all that afraid of.
No, a wolf spider’s bark is definitely worse than its bite: they, too, will only attack if threatened, and are more likely to run away from us.
Again, if you do get a bite from a wolf spider, you’ll likely only experience mild symptoms, such as a slight sting or localised itchiness.
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Today, we’ve discussed the different types of spiders you might find hiding in your home.
As mentioned, you may never actually come across one: many spiders are more scared of us than we are of them, and will often just scurry off and hide if you do happen to cross paths.
There are some varieties to be careful of, though: female redbacks, in particular, have large, venomous fangs that can cause serious damage. Other spider types we’ve discussed, on the other hand – the humble huntsman, wolf spiders, and white tailed varieties – are far less aggressive than we might expect, and will usually only attack if provoked.
Of course, if you do experience a spider bite of any kind, it’s always best to seek medical attention.
