Redback Spiders

Non-toxic pest control

Redback spiders have long shiny legs, a small mid-section and a large bulbous black abdomen which usually has a broad orange, red or scarlet dorsal stripe. The underside of the female also bears a bright red mark in the shape of an hour glass. Completely black forms are also found. Male spiders are a tiny 3-4 mm, compared to the large female at 12-15 mm. These spiders show little aggression and, if threatened, curl up and fall to the ground.

Redback Habitat

Redbacks prefer dry habitats ranging from forests to deserts. They make a loose web in rubbish or debris, and males will surround a female in her web. Around households, Redbacks can be found in letterboxes, under seats, garden furniture, around pot plants and in sheds. In areas where Funnel-Webs & Trapdoors are found, Redbacks will frequently ensnare and devour these wandering male spiders.

Redback Toxicity

Redback spiders are very toxic, making spider control especially important if you have Redbacks on your property. Males do not bite, as their fangs are too small to penetrate human skin, but the bite from a female is very painful and can be fatal. While there have not been any fatalities since 1956, when an effective antivenin was developed, this spider must always be treated with caution. Most Redback bites occur when the spider is accidentally picked up or trapped against the hand or body when cleaning out rubbish from a workshop or garden. If you find a Redback, it’s recommended that you call a professional that offers a spider removal service.

Symptoms of Redback Bites

• Stinging sensation at bite, although no sign may be evident
• Swelling around bite & paleness; pain & tenderness
• Pain in lower limbs due to absorption of venom in lymphatic system
• Patient shows shock symptoms: pallor, weakness, profuse sweating (sometimes only around bite site), nausea & vomiting
• Some cases show paralysis of lower limbs

Treatment of Redback Bites

• Keep patient as still  at calm as possible
• Remove tight clothing& make patient comfortable
• Apply cold pack to the bite,  being careful not to freeze tissue (wrap ice pack in towel)
• Seek medical assistancepromptly

White-Tailed Spiders

Pest control spiders

White-Tailed spiders have a cigar shaped body that varies from grey to plum to black depending on the age of the spider and when it last moulted. Its legs may also be red-brown to black, also depending on its age. The adult has an outstanding patch of white on the dorsal tip of its abdomen. Juvenile spiders have a series of light patches on the top of the abdomen which deepen with each moult until they disappear, leaving only the distinctive white ‘tail’. Female spiders measure 12-20 mm and the slimmer male spiders measure 5-12 mm. These nocturnal open range hunters are not aggressive, but like many other spiders, they will bite if touched or placed on the body inside clothing. At Green Pesty, we can provide proven pest control for spiders to prevent bites from occurring.

White-Tailed Spider Habitat

White-Tailed spiders prefer cool places. Outside they can be found under the bark of trees, where they build temporary tubular retreat sacs. Often they can be found indoors, particularly in bathrooms where it’s cool, as well as in bedrooms under clothing left on floors. They’ve even been found in beds.

White-Tailed Spider Toxicity

Although dangerous, the bite is not lethal, but eco-friendly pest control for spiders to eliminate White-Tailed spiders is still recommended. Severe illness and localised pain may be experienced, as well as blistering and tissue necrosis. The venom of a White-Tailed spider contains flesh dissolving enzymes and a microscopic organism Mycobacterium ulcerans, which is what can cause necrotic (ulcerous) sores.

White-Tailed Spider Bite Symptoms

• • Clearly visible puncture mark
  • Burning local pain sometimes followed by blistering and ulceration, however the symptoms have no predictable pattern
  • The speed of tissue damage & of other symptoms varies widely. Ulceration may begin with surface blistering or a darkening of flesh beneath the bite
  • Reaction can be rapid & painful, with violent vomiting & diarrhoea, or gradual with relatively little pain
  • If necrosis spreads extensively, the only way to limit damage is to remove the dead tissue & scrape around it. It is thought that the digestive enzyme that causes this damage can renew itself

White-Tailed Spider Bite Treatment

• • L-Cysteine ointment can counteract the necrotic effect of the venom
  • Aloe Vera in ointment or fresh leaf form can also greatly help to neutralise the effects of the bite; apply generously over wound 3-4 times a day until it heals
  • Seek medical assistance as soon as possible

Black House Spiders

Spider control

Black house spiders have a robust build with a large abdomen, and are dark brown to black with black legs. The female is a medium sized spider measuring up to 18mm long, while the male is only 9mm. Their fangs are not obvious but move pincer-like. Their web is a mat with an obvious, roughly round entrance hole, and the spider will wait for an insect to become ensnared. This is not an aggressive spider, but a spider removal service is still recommended to remove them from homes.

Black House Spider Habitat

In the wild, black house spiders construct their webs in the loose bark of trees, but in and around buildings they make their webs in window frames, in corners, under eaves, and any place they have security. These spiders are frequently attacked and devoured by the White-Tailed spider.

Black House Spider Toxicity

Toxic, making pest control for spiders a wise move if you discover black house spiders in your home or business. The bite of the black house spider is poisonous but not lethal. Their bites cause some pain and swelling, but the patient soon recovers. Medical advice should always be sought, as there may be an allergic reaction.

Huntsman Spiders

Spider removal service

The Family that Huntsman spiders belong to, Heteropodidae, consists of 13 genera and 94 described species. Huntsman are also known as Triantelopes, Tarantulas or Giant Crab spiders because of their rapid sideways scuttling gait. They generally have a hairy flattened body structure, with their front two pair of legs longer than their back two pair of legs. Some species are quite large, with the female being about 40-45 mm long and 160 mm across outstretched, and the male only slightly less. Despite their fearsome appearance which causes many people to arrange spider control, these nocturnal hunters are not an aggressive spider.

Huntsman Habitat

The natural habitat of Huntsman spiders is under the loose bark of trees, but they will often enter houses & may be found on walls. If threatened, these spiders can and will squeeze into cracks and crevices where no other animal can.

Huntsman Toxicity

Not toxic. Although a large Huntsman spider can give a painful bite, most species are entirely harmless to humans.

Areas We Service

Have a problem with one of the spiders above, or a different type? Our technicians can travel within a 2 hour radius, meaning we can help you with spider control in the following suburbs and surrounds:

• VIC:
  • Shepparton
  • Kyabram
  • Cobram
  • Tocumwal
  • Echuca
  • Mildura
  • Hamilton
  • Geelong
  • Chirnside Park
  • Horsham
  • Cohuna
  • Ballarat
  • Bendigo

• NSW:
  • Young
  • Crookwell
  • Bathurst
  • Blayney
  • Dubbo
  • Balranald
  • Wellington
  • Temora
  • Cootamundra
  • Wagga
  • Albury
  • West Wyalong
  • Griffith

If you want to say goodbye to spiders in your home or business once and for all, we can provide the proven pest control for spiders you need. To make a booking for our kid and pet friendly pest control and spider removal service, call Green Pesty today on 1800 815 730. We can also provide a number of additional services, including pest control for other pests.