Venomous Spiders Found in Perth

Key Takeaways: Venomous Spiders in Perth, WA

• Perth is home to over 10,000 spider species, with several venomous types requiring awareness and first aid knowledge.

• Redback spiders are common in Perth’s urban areas; their venom can cause severe illness and needs immediate first aid.

• Blackhouse spiders are timid but can deliver painful bites with symptoms like swelling, nausea, and sweating.

• White-tailed spiders are easily identified by white abdominal tips; their bites cause local pain and swelling.

• Huntsman spiders, though large and fast, are generally non-aggressive, with bites causing only mild symptoms.

• Mouse spiders are rare but dangerous, with venom comparable to the funnel-web spider.

• Applying a cold pack is the recommended first aid for most spider bites in Perth, except where funnel-web–type pressure immobilisation is needed.

• Antivenom for redback bites is available in Perth, making timely medical care crucial after envenomation.

• Enrolling in a CPR First Aid spider bite first aid course equips residents with essential, life-saving response skills.

• Understanding local spider species helps Perth residents reduce risk and respond effectively to venomous bites.

Spiders are the most widely distributed animals in Australia. There are around 10,000 species of spiders living in different types of ecosystems. Unfortunately, some of these arachnids are venomous, and their bites have led to severe cases of envenomation. Let’s find out what these venomous spiders are and if they are found in Perth, Western Australia. In addition, information on first aid responses to their bites will also be discussed below.

Common Spiders in Perth, WA

According to Australian Geographic, about 10,000 species are found Australia-wide. Below are the spiders found in Perth according to multiple pest control companies such as Swatapest.

Redback Spiders

These spiders (Latrodectus hasselti) are also known as the ‘Australian black widow’ and appear as follows.

1. Female redback spiders
   – Have brownish or black bodies.
   – Orange to red longitudinal stripe on the upper abdomen.
   – An “hourglass” shaped red/orange spot on the underside of the abdomen.
   – It may be the same size as a pea.
   – Slender legs.
2. Male redback spiders
   – Light brown.
   – White markings on the upper side of the abdomen.
   – Pale hourglass marking on the underside.

The juvenile spiders of this species have additional white markings on the abdomen. This species is also common in disturbed and urban areas like Perth. Habitats include roof eaves, floorboards, shelves, flower pots, and garden sheds.

Blackhouse Spiders

They have provided good shelter for retreats amongst the cracks in the bark of Perth trees. In addition, they are also known as the ‘ Window Spiders ‘because they build their webs around window frames. Their scientific name is the Badumna logo and may be identified by the below description:

• Dark and robust.
• The carapace and legs are dark brown to black.
• The abdomen is charcoal grey and has a dorsal pattern of white markings.

The females of these spiders are known to be bigger than the male ones.

White-Tailed Spiders

Called vagrant hunters, these spiders live beneath the barks and rocks in Perth. In the same spots, they lay their disc-shaped egg sac containing up to 90 eggs. Their whitish tips at the end of their abdomens make them easily identified. Furthermore, they have the following physical characteristics:

• It’s shaped like a cigar.
• The body is dark reddish to grey.
• Banded legs that are dark orange-brown.
• The dorsal abdomen is also grey.
• Two pairs of faint white spots in the abdomen.

The male white-tailed spiders also have a scute on the front of their abdomen.

Daddy Long Legs Spiders

The scientific name of these spiders is Pholcus phalangioides, and they belong to a group called the tangle-web spiders. Daddy Long Legs spiders are found in urban areas like Perth. They may be identified as having:

• Extraordinarily long and skinny legs.
• Small body.
• Cream to pale brown.

Some spiders in the same group also have darker markings on the legs and abdomen.

Huntsman Spiders

The huntsman spiders are found to be living beneath the bark of trees, rocks, walls, logs, and the grounds of Perth. Under the Family Sparassidae, these spiders are called ‘Tarantulas’ or ‘Giant Crab Spiders’. Below are their distinctive features:

• Giant spiders with long legs span up to 15 cm.
• Their colour is mainly grey to brown.
• Banded legs.

Females are also bigger and may grow up to 2 cm compared to the male huntsman spiders that reach only 1.6 cm in body length.

Wolf spiders

These spiders have different species that vary in size and live on the ground in leaf litter or burrows of Perth. Some also consider them garden spiders due to their habitat. They all have the exact identification:

• Drab body colour.
• Body patterns (may be brown, yellow, grey, black, white, or pink).
• Abdomens have scroll-like patterns.
• Their underside is light grey, cream, black, or pink.
• Jaws have a small raised orange spot.

These spiders also have eight eyes in three rows, four smaller in front and the other four bigger and arranged in a square on top of the high and convex head.

Mouse Spiders

Aside from these spiders having bulbous head and jaw regions, they also have:

• Black or blue abdomen.
• A patch on top of the abdomen may be black or light grey.
• Extensive, shiny, and black head.
• Bright red or orange-red jaws.
• Dark legs that may appear long and thin.

The females are known to be larger, stockier, and more solid. They have a uniform black cephalothorax (fused head and thorax) and body. In Perth, their habitats range from open forest to semi-arid shrubland.

Trapdoor Spiders

A news article from The Western Australian Museum’s website discusses the two new species of trapdoor spiders discovered in Western Australia. One of them was found north of Perth near Cataby and Regans Ford. The article includes a photo showing the following characteristics:

• Dark brown body
• Light brown legs

The species in Perth had a name of ‘Proshermacha telaporta’.

Venomous Spiders in Perth

From among the list of common spiders found in Perth above, the evil ones are:

• Redback Spiders
• Blackhouse Spiders
• White-Tailed Spiders
• Huntsman Spiders
• Mouse Spiders

The venoms of such Australian spiders act differently and cause distinct symptoms. Treatments are available, which you may learn from a first aid course at 123C Colin St West Perth 6005. In addition, antivenom is also distributed and accessible in Perth.

Effects of the Redback Spider’s Venom

Reported cases of redback spider bites are pretty high in Perth, and they often require medical attention, especially during the summer months. The Australian Museum says that at least 250 bites occur each year. Furthermore, the venom of this spider may cause severe illness and death.

Symptoms

Following are the identified symptoms after this species of spider bites:

• Sweating.
• Muscular weakness.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Pain.

Pain is an early symptom, and it may become severe.

First Aid

If this spider bites, the first aid response may be applying an ice pack to the bitten area to relieve pain. In addition, using a pressure bandage is discouraged as it may worsen the pain.

Effects of the Blackhouse Spider’s Venom

In Perth, there are not a lot of recorded bites from this spider, as they are known to be timid.

Symptoms

The bite of this spider may cause:

• Pain.
• Local swelling.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Sweating.
• Giddiness.

In some cases, this spider has also caused the development of skin lesions by causing multiple bites.

First Aid

First aid management for the bite of this spider involves applying a cold pack.

Effects of the White-Tailed Spider’s Venom

Contrary to what this spider has been suspected, cases of White-tailed Spider bites in Perth and other areas were found not to cause ulceration on human skin.

Symptoms

Bites from this spider may cause:

• Initial burning pain.
• Swelling.
• Itchiness.

The above may only be felt in the bitten area.

First Aid

A cold pack may also be applied as a first-aid treatment for the bite of this spider.

Effects of the Huntsman Spider’s Venom

Fortunately, only a few reported bites from this spider have been reported in Perth. This may be due to its non-aggressive nature; it may just run away from humans when it sees one.

Symptoms

A few cases of the Huntsman spider bite have caused:

• Pain.
• Swelling.
• Headache.
• Nausea.

The above are considered to be mild.

First Aid

Similar to the above first aid tips, a cold pack may help reduce the pain of this spider’s bite.

Effects of the Mouse Spider’s Venom

There have been a few reported serious envenomations of this spider in Perth. Its venom is also considered as dangerous as the funnel-web spider‘s.

Symptoms

Once this spider bites, there may be a feeling of a deep, painful bite.

First Aid

Spider bite first aid from a mouse spider is similar to that of a funnel-web spider bite.

What is the Most Aggressive Spider?

Many people fear spiders due to their venomous bite and general creepy crawly factor. One misconception people have about spiders, though, is their aggression. Generally, spiders are likely to avoid humans unless provoked or feel cornered and have to bite to defend themselves. 

That said, though, the bite of certain spiders still needs to be avoided. Some of these bites can cause severe symptoms and even death. 

What is the Most Deadly Spider?

That said, learning about the most deadly spider may be worthwhile. In truth, the world groups together the most lethal spiders. These include the Brazilian wandering spider, the redback, the black widow, and the Sydney funnel-web.

Conclusion

Different species of spiders are found in Perth. Some are venomous and cause minor to severe symptoms. Fortunately, these may be treated with first aid, and antivenom is also available.

CPR First Aid’s first aid course in Perth teaches learners treatments for spider bites and other functional life-saving skills. We also provide other Australia-wide training locations, making earning a first aid certificate convenient no matter where you live. Similarly, a CPR course is also an option that bestows practical skills and benefits. Enrol in a course today.