Australia is renowned for having some of the deadliest spiders on the Earth. Australian bush land is home to 700 different species of spiders, with suburban areas believed to house approximately 50-100 species. South-East Queensland’s warm, humid weather means that household spiders are plentiful. Particularly in the warmer months. Below are the three most common web weaving spiders that can be found in and around your home.
Redback Spider
This is the most easily recognisable spider in Australia, due to its red mark on their back. Luckily, redbacks don’t tend to make their home inside yours, preferring the outdoors. Redback spiders prefer shaded areas that are warm. They also have a characteristically messy web. The venom of a female redback is enough to be fatal or can cause severe illness. If you spot one of these spiders in your home, it is paramount that you contact your pest control technician.
Golden Orb
It’s hard to have lived in Australia for
any measure of time without walking through the web of an orb weaver. The Golden Orb is responsible for the massive, thick, overly sticky webs that you see in your garden; spanning across branches, traffic lights, signs, poles, and generally exactly where you need to walk. Their web has a characteristic golden sheen to it. The legs of a Golden Orb generally has yellow banded legs. They generally do not bit, but their venom can cause illness if you are.
Daddy Long Legs
A contender for the most recognisable spider in Australia. The Daddy Long Legs has a small body with very long spindly legs attached (as per its namesake). Unlike the redback, the Daddy Long Legs is often found in the home. They prefer the high corners of rooms but don’t discriminate against any corner. When their web is disturbed, the female will aggressively shake to try and discourage predators. These spiders are not dangerous to your health.
Comments