House Spiders in Australia: Types, Bites and Treatment

Key Takeaways – Australian Spiders & Safety

• Australia is home to 2,000+ spider species, with only a few – including funnel-web, redback, white-tailed, and mouse spiders – posing serious danger.

• No recorded deaths from confirmed spider bites have occurred since antivenoms became available, except one redback case in 2016.

• Sydney funnel-web spiders are highly venomous and can be fatal within 15 minutes without treatment.

• Redback spiders, identifiable by their red or orange stripe, are common in homes and require professional removal.

• White-tailed spiders are widespread; bites can cause swelling, pain, and, in rare cases, severe reactions.

• Huntsman spiders are large but generally harmless, helping control insect populations.

• Mouse spiders produce venom as toxic as funnel-webs but rarely cause fatalities.

• First aid for spider bites: apply pressure, immobilise the limb, seek urgent medical help for serious symptoms.

• Learn to identify dangerous species using Australian spider identification charts to reduce bite risks.

• First aid training in Australia, such as courses from CPR First Aid, equips you to respond quickly to spider bite emergencies.

There are a lot of urban legends and false beliefs about the spiders Australia has. One of them is that all Australian house spiders can bite. Another is that those found at home are harmless Australian spiders. The truth is that even tiny spider Australia species can hurt people with their venom. This means that all spiders in Australia should be treated with caution. We’ll look at the different spider types in Australia, identify various kinds of spiders, and discuss whether they’re dangerous to people. Additionally, we will offer some advice on how to handle any potential spider bites.

Spider Bite Injuries in Australia

How many spider species are in Australia? The spider species in Australia has ranged over 2,000, although the bites of the majority are generally safe for people, just like the St Andrew cross spider bite. From the list of spiders in Australia, the funnel-web, mouse, redback, and white-tailed spiders are all venomous. However, there haven’t been any documented deaths in Australia from a verified small spider bite since the antivenom development. With that, let’s take a look at several native Australian spiders.

Common Types of Household Spiders

Certain NSW house spiders in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia are generally considered beneficial to humans because they help control populations of other pests, such as flies and mosquitoes. However, there are a few species of spiders that can pose a threat to human health. These spiders are often found in and around homes. A typical house spider bite cannot be ignored, as many venomous species can find their way somewhere near you. So, it is essential to be aware of them and take precautions to avoid spider bites in Australia. Let’s check out common house spiders Australia has and many others that one should still be wary of.

Sydney Funnel-web Spiders

One of the common spiders Sydney has is the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider. Often regarded among the most hazardous types of Australian spiders (and even regarded the world over), is a typical Australian spider sighted in New South Wales. It may be found in both backyards and wilderness. This Sydney house spider is renowned for its vicious temper and powerful fangs, which can puncture through fingers and toes. The human nervous system can shut down due to funnel-web spider bites, which are exceedingly poisonous and can cause death within 15 minutes.

The venom of funnel-web spiders contains a substance that can make the venom very toxic for humans and other animals. Bite symptoms first start with:

• a tingling sensation around the mouth
• twitching of the tongue
• excessive salivation
• watery eyes
• sweating
• muscular spasms

High blood pressure and increased heartbeat occur, and when coupled with respiratory difficulty, can be extremely severe and even fatal. This is why this is one of the most feared spider types Sydney, and Australia as a whole, has.

Daddy-long-legs Spiders

The Daddy-Long-Legs Spider is another native Australian spider. It is considered a tiny spider and one of Australia’s most common. Its long, thin legs and petite body make it easily recognizable. This harmless spider is not aggressive and poses no danger to humans. However, its webs can be a nuisance if built in areas where people live or work.

Daddy-Long-Legs Spiders do not bite. Their fangs are too small and weak to penetrate human skin. However, some people can cause an allergic reaction if this tiny Australian spider bite bites them.

Redback Spiders

A tiny red spider in Australia is nothing to ignore. In 2016, redback spiders made news after one of them killed a young Sydney resident. A Redback spider has a noticeable red stripe on its body and is extremely deadly. In some cases, it is also identified as an orange back spider Australia, as the mark can be red or orange. It is a home spider, like bushlands, but it can also be found throughout Australia. These red house spiders prefer to settle in calm, protected areas like mailboxes and behind toilet seats. Even though many bites are recorded each year, not many of them are thought to be fatal. Anti-venom is used to treat a tiny percentage. Since the anti-venom was made accessible in 1950, there haven’t been any known deaths caused by an arachnid other than the instance in 2016.

The venomous bite of the red house spider can be fatal, especially to young children. Hence, any bite has to be handled with extreme precaution. That’s why when a person sees a redback spider in the house, it is a cause for cautiousness. What do you do if you find a redback spider in your house? It is best to keep one’s distance. Call professional services to have them inspect all areas of the house and extract the spider. 

A redback spider injects its venom straight into the nerves, releasing neurotransmitters and then depleting them. Some symptoms are pain, sweat, muscle weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Like the funnel-web, the redback is one of the most dangerous spiders in Sydney and Australia.

White-tailed Spiders

Part of the common spiders Adelaide has, the white-tailed spider is often found in dark, damp places such as basements and laundry rooms. There are over a dozen species of white-tailed spiders in Australia, and they are among the most commonly reported spider bite cases. The bites usually cause only localised redness and swelling, but in some cases, can lead to more severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and headaches. White-tailed spiders are not considered dangerous, but it is always best to seek medical attention if you think someone has been bitten.

Huntsman Spiders

What is the most common spider in Australia? The huntsman spider is undoubtedly one of them. Huntsman spiders are giant and long-legged, with some species growing to over 20cm long. They are often mistaken for other house tarantulas Australia has. Widely distributed across Australia, they are found in warm climates and are known for their speed and agility in running down their prey. Their diet consists mainly of insects and other small animals.

Huntsman spiders are not considered dangerous to humans, but this giant brown spider in Australia boasts size and quick movements that can be unsettling. They may be one of the most friendly spiders in the country. That is, as long as they aren’t threatened. Symptoms of a huntsman spider bite include:

• swelling
• redness
• pain
• itchiness at the site of the bite

In rare cases, more severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and dizziness may occur. It is best to be wary of this giant brown spider Australia has (in some instances, it is also an orange spider Victoria-side).

Mouse Spiders

The mouse spider is a common spider in Australia that typically lives in bushes, caves or creeps into suburban homes’ backyards. It is one of the deadliest spiders and is one of eight species dispersed throughout the country. The females like the quietness of their burrows since they spend most of their time inactive. The species’ male is often seen stumbling around looking for them. Due to the heat, mouse spiders regularly wander around during the day.

This species’ bites often only have mild to moderate effects. In contrast to funnel-web spiders, the mouse spider is thought to produce less venom and may even be a “dry bite.” The venom of some mouse spiders is highly poisonous and can be just as lethal as that of the Sydney funnel-web spider, although their bites have not been associated with many deaths. Both species also have similar appearances, although mouse spiders have shorter spinnerets.

Wolf Spider

Wolf spiders are found throughout the country and live on leaf litter or burrows. They are part of the common spiders in Victoria and across Australia. The spiders found in Australia are some of Australia’s most common garden spiders. The Australian Museum’s spider identification chart shows a size range of 1 cm to 8 cm and has a terrestrial life history.

A record of the wolf spider black house spider bite shows that the symptoms are only local pain, itchiness, swelling, dizziness, rapid pulse, and nausea. The house wolf spider bite treatment consists of washing the wound with water and soap and placing a bandage over the wound. If the wound itches, a person can take antihistamine medication. 

Black House Spider

It is one of the most common spiders in Australia – specifically in urban areas – that form webs around window frames where the females secure their white silk egg sacs. The various baby house spiders you’ll encounter in your abode will increase from these sacs. It is why others also call them widow spiders, and they are popular with pest control companies. Especially since a few cases of their bites led to skin lesions and other symptoms. Cold packs may help, but seeking medical attention when required is essential.

Trapdoor Spider

This is a name for many spider families that mostly adapt to drier habitats and ground dwellings. People in urban areas usually avoid hurting them since they play a crucial role in pest management by eating termites, cockroaches, and other invertebrates. Experts consider their bites harmless and may only cause local pain.

Orb-Weaving Spider

The orb-weaving spider is another type of spider in Australia. This term covers about 100 species of giant spiders, with the Garden Orb-Weaving Spider being the most popular. The name comes from how they build large, strong, vertical orb webs that trap their prey. The spiderlings of these Australian spiders Victoria residing in create their own as soon as they hatch and wait for the winter. This Australian garden spider is found across other states, such as Queensland, South Australia, and New South Wales. This tiny orange spider in Australia is also one of the common Sydney spiders. 

These spiders are some of the most common Australian spiders. They are reluctant to bite, but if they do, the symptoms are usually mild local pain, numbness, and swelling.

St Andrew’s Cross Spider

It is famous for its bright, cross-shaped web decorations, with the males having a light brown to brown colour and smaller than their female counterparts. Is the St Andrews cross spider dangerous? This brown garden spider in Australia is not aggressive towards humans. Even if they managed to bite a person, their bite is not toxic. 

Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders are tiny, have large eyes, and have a prodigious jumping ability. They are found Australia-wide and live on almost all types of vegetation. This little brown house spider could stumble into one’s home to find insects to eat. Jumping spider bite pictures will show the bite site’s redness and swelling.

Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus sp)

These have a longitudinal stripe on their abdomens (red/orange) and a pale hourglass marking on the underside. This striped spider in Australia is known to have a painful bite with high toxicity, which is why victims receive antivenoms. Initial symptoms such as sweating, muscular weakness, nausea, and vomiting may also occur.

White-Tailed Spider

The body shapes of these spiders are cigar-like with banded legs. The species is found in bark, rocks, leaf litter, logs, bushes, gardens, and houses. The bites of these garden spiders in Victoria (and throughout most of Australia) are known to cause ulceration, so it is best to seek medical attention for treatment. A first-stage white-tail spider bite will entail irritation, swelling, itchiness, and slight pain. Rarer symptoms include more severe pain and nausea. 

Are Australian House Spiders Poisonous?

No, Australian house spiders are not poisonous. While they can bite if provoked, their bites are not typically harmful to humans. They are considered non-poisonous spiders. If you are concerned about a spider bite, even little spider bites, seek medical attention immediately.

Symptoms

Most spider bites, small or large, only cause minor irritation, with symptoms such as redness, swelling and itchiness. However, some spiders can cause more severe reactions, including:

• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips or tongue
• hives
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• nausea or vomiting
• a rapid heartbeat

If a spider bites you and you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Treatment

A severe reaction can be life-threatening. Treatment for a severe spider bite allergic reaction typically includes medications to relieve symptoms and prevent anaphylaxis. The following are:

• antihistamines to relieve itching 
• corticosteroids to reduce inflammation 
• antibiotics if the bite becomes infected 
• intravenous (IV) fluids to treat dehydration 
• oxygen therapy if you have difficulty breathing 

Signs of Infection

Sometimes, a spider bite may lead to a bacterial skin infection, evident by redness, swelling, pain, pus, or other drainage.

If the infection is present, the doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics. To help prevent disease, clean the bite area with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment. Schedule another appointment with the doctor if the bite doesn’t heal after a week or two.

Conclusion

While most Australian household spiders are harmless, knowing as much as possible is still best. For instance, do spiders hibernate in Australia? What do each look like, and what are their characteristics? What eats spiders in Australia? These will surely come in handy.

Furthermore, it is best to be prepared and knowledgeable with the skills and treatment for emergency cases. This will help ensure the safety and health of someone suffering from an allergic reaction to a spider bite. It may also be worthwhile to familiarise oneself with pictures of spider bites in Australia, the Australian spider identification chart, a NSW spider identification chart, even a Sydney spider chart, or anything similar. This way, you can identify harmful spiders and species that have bitten you. Finally, remember that even tiny Australian spiders can be dangerous or adversely affect people. Have you ever been bitten by any common spiders in South Australia? Always be wary of both tiny Australian spiders and large ones. What was your experience?

When to Administer First Aid?

Severe allergic reactions usually require first aid. If you’d like to undergo formal first aid training and acquire first aid certification in Cheltenham, send your queries to CPR First Aid, and we’ll be happy to walk you through our courses.