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Australian is renowned for its dangerous spiders, but which spiders in Sydney should we be worried about? Here’s how to identify the top 6 dangerous spiders in Sydney…
Top 6 Dangerous Spiders in Sydney
Of course, we can’t go past the Sydney funnel-web spider as the most dangerous spider in Sydney. But actually, it’s the redback spider that delivers the most bites requiring hospitalisation. Then there’s the very scary looking huntsman spiders, but actually their bite is quite mild.
Sydney funnel-web spider
Description: Black spider with shiny back and oversized jaws. The abdomen is a dull black with very obvious spinnerets (for spinning silk for webs). The females are larger than the males (body length 3.5 cm v 2.5 cm) with the leg span up to 7 cm.
Web: Funnel-web spiders build their webs inside their burrow with the web and trip lines extend out from the funnel onto the ground surrounding the funnel, to create the funnel shape.
Where are they found? Sydney funnel-webs spiders are found across the Sydney basin to the Blue Mountains. They prefer moist, cool, but well drained soils in forested areas. Hotspots are Hornsby, Norther Beaches and at the base of the Blue Mountains.
Key behaviours: Homeowners tend to encounter funnel webs when the males (which are more toxic) leave their burrows in late summer and Autumn looking for a mate. Both male and female funnels can leave their burrows if they get flooded during periods of heavy rain.
Bite information: If you are bitten by a funnel-web spider, mouse spider or any large black spider you cannot identify, you should call for medical assistance immediately. The first aid treatment for funnel web spiders (and mouse spiders) is as per snake bites – you need to use a pressure bandage on the affected limb.
Redback Spider
Description: The female redback is a black glossy spider with red strip on its abdomen. Body up to 20 mm long, leg span up to 40 mm. Juvenile females may be browner in colour, with white markings in addition to the red stripe. Males have a similar colouration to juvenile females but are a lot smaller and are not dangerous.
Web: Redbacks build a messy open web, which looks like a badly made fishing net. It often includes bits of dead leaves. It builds these webs in dry sheltered locations – under rocks and logs, and in cracks and crevices. Around buildings it will build webs on fencing and inside buildings it often builds webs around downlights.
Where are they found? Redbacks are found throughout Sydney and are one of the most common spiders found around houses.
Key behaviours: The redback spider typically hides in its web and bites tend to occur when humans accidentally disturb the female in its web. They are very aggressive, especially when guarding their egg cases so will readily charge and bite when disturbed.
Bite information: Redbacks have a very painful bite – the paid increases over the first hour and remains for 24 hours or more. Sweating is a key symptom of the bite, which includes red swelling and sweating at the bite site itself. Victims will generally also feel nausea and dizziness. Occasionally more severe symptoms can be experienced including stomach pains, high blood pressure and racing heart. First aid is as per standard spider bite first aid (see below), but seek immediate medical help if symptoms are severe.
Black house spider
Description: Black house spiders are mostly black, but they have a mottled abdomen and black and brown striped legs. Their body length is up to 20 mm, with a leg span up to 30 mm.
Web: Black house spiders produce a dense, funnel-shaped web that leads to a hiding spot. They add layers to the web over time, making it increasingly dense. The love to build their webs around doors, windows and under eaves.
Where are they found? Black house spiders are found throughout Sydney and along with the redback are one of the most common spiders found on and in buildings.
Key behaviours: Black house spiders build more of a funnel-shaped web than funnel-web spiders! However, they build their webs above ground and are quite a timid spider.
Bite information: Moderately painful bite but does not often bite, as it’s quite timid. Apply the standard spider bite first aid (see below).
White-tailed spider
Description: The white-tail spider is a unique looking spider – it has a grey black thin body with 5 white on the abdomen – one of which is the white “tail”. It has black and brown stripped legs. The body length up to 18 mm with a leg span up to 28 mm.
Web: White-tailed spiders are hunting spiders and do not build webs.
Where are they found? The are generally found outside in leaf-litter and under rocks and logs hunting for prey. They generally come inside by accident.
Key behaviours: They like to squeeze into narrow spaces – such as under sheets and clothes! Their favourite prey are black house spiders.
Bite information: The white-tailed spider bite is painful initially but subsides, leaving swelling and itching. Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that white-tail bites cause flesh to decay.
Wolf spiders
Description: Wolf spiders vary in colour from brown, to grey to black and are highly patterned. The main distinguishing feature is that they have eight eyes in a 2+2+4 formation. The different types of wolf spider vary in body length, between 1 – 8 cm.
Web: Wolf spiders do not build webs. Some species of wolf spiders build burrows like trapdoor spiders; others are nomadic wandering around looking for prey.
Where are they found? Wolf spiders generally live outside where they hunt for prey. They hide in lawns, in the leaf litter and under rocks.
Key behaviours: Wolf spiders are fast running, hunting spiders. The females carry their egg sac and the young spiderlings ride on their back after hatching.
Bite information: Wolf spiders are not particularly aggressive. Their bite is generally mild with localised pain.
Huntsman spiders
Description: There are a number of types of huntsman spiders, which come in a variety of colours. Most are grey or brown, often with obvious markings. They are some of the biggest spiders in Sydney. Although the body length may only be 2-3 cm, their leg span can be 15 cm or more.
Web: Huntsman spiders do not build a web, as their name suggests, they are hunting spiders roam hunting prey. They will often rest in tight places such as under bark, rocks and sheets!
Where are they found? Huntsman spiders are outdoor spiders and are found in gardens all over Sydney. They will often come inside when hunting or to escape hot or wet weather.
Key behaviours: Due to their flat body shape they are capable of squeezing under doors, including car doors! They have a reputation for jumping at people. However, this is more of an escape mechanism that an attempt to attack.
Bite information: Despite their size and scary appearance, huntsman spiders are actually quite timid and will generally run away rather than bite. Their bite is relatively mild – pain and swelling around the bite site, occasionally nausea and headaches.
Standard Spider Bite First Aid
- Keep the victim still
- Apply an ice pack to the bite area
- Take pain killers as required
- Seek medical attention
- if the victim is young, elderly or infirm
- if pain is severe
- if victim has a severe reaction
- Use snake bite first aid (pressure bandage) for funnel-web and mouse spiders
If you are unsure about spider identification, if you can take a photo safely, it will help emergency services.
Disclaimer: The first aid information is provided as general information and does not replace the advice from a medical professional. More information on spider bite first aid.
If you have a spider problem at your property please give us a call to book a spider pest control service.