Not only is Perth the sunniest capital city in Australia, it is also home to species of spiders ranging from the virtually harmless to the outright deadly.
Knowing what these venomous spiders look like, where they hide, and how to treat their bites can drastically reduce your risk of a trip to the emergency room.
This article will help you live harmoniously alongside 6 of Perth's most common spider species.
We also cover spider bites in our general and childcare first aid courses. We have training locations in Perth and in every other state, capital city, and major town throughout Australia.
Redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti)
Appearance
Female redback spiders have the following characteristics:
A black, pea-shaped body that can grow up to 1 cm in size
Slender legs
An orange to red longitudinal stripe on the top of their abdomen
An orange to red hourglass-shaped spot on the underside of their abdomen
Male redback spiders, meanwhile, have the following characteristics:
A light brown body that can grow up to 4 mm in size
White markings on the top of their abdomen
A pale hourglass-shaped spot on the underside of their abdomen
Habitat
Redback spiders, also known as the Australian Black widow, are widely distributed across the country. They prefer to build their webs in dry, sheltered sites close to human habitation, including:
Sheds
Toilets
Junk-piles
Rocks and logs
Danger
Only female Redback spiders are considered dangerous to humans, as the fangs of their male counterparts are too small to pierce human flesh.
Redback spider venom acts directly on the nervous system and can cause the following symptoms:
Pain
Sweating
Muscular weakness
Nausea and vomiting
However, female Redback spiders are retiring creatures and will generally only bite humans if they come into direct contact with their web.
Likewise, no deaths have resulted from a Redback spider since the introduction of antivenom in 1956.
If you sustain a bite from a Redback spider, consult the first aid procedure listed in our Resource Library.
A pale brown body that can grow up to 9 mm in size
Extremely long, skinny legs
Habitat
Having been accidentally introduced from Europe, this cosmopolitan species can now be found in most urban areas throughout Australia.
They like to build their thin, tangled webs in sheltered, undisturbed areas of the house, including:
Under furniture
Behind doors
In the corners of ceilings
Danger
The Daddy-long-legs spider is considered largely harmless to humans, as its venom typically results in a short-lived stinging sensation.
If you are bitten by this species, clean the affected area with soap and water, apply a cold compress, and seek medical attention if you are worried about your symptoms.
A dark reddish to grey body that is shaped liked a cigar and can grow up to 18 mm in females and 12 mm in males
Dark orange-brown banded legs
A white spot at the tip of their abdomen
Habitat
One of the most common species of White tailed spider, Lampona cylindrata, is widely distributed across southern parts of the mainland, including Western Australia.
In the wild, they tend to shelter beneath rocks, logs, and other detritus.
In the summer months, however, they tend to venture indoors and hide between pieces of fabric and in sheltered nooks and crannies.
Danger
Like most spiders, this species will generally only bite people when provoked.
Likewise, their venom typically causes mild symptoms similar to those of a bee sting, including:
An initial burning pain
Swelling
Itchiness
If you sustain a White tailed spider bite, follow the same procedure as for a Redback spider bite.
Huntsman spiders are renowned for their long legs, which bend forward like those of a crab. They are widely distributed throughout Australia and like to live under rocks, loose tree bark, and in crevices on rock walls. Their bites are infrequent and generally cause negligible symptoms that can be treated with a cold compress, such as mild pain and swelling.
Wolf spider
Wolf spiders typically have drab coloured bodies covered in grey, brown, or black markings. They are widely distributed throughout Australia, with some species common in suburban gardens. Female Wolf spiders have also been known to enter homes to protect their egg sacs from the cold. Their bites typically result in only minor symptoms like local pain or itchiness.
Final thoughts
For hands-on experience with manging spider bites, enrol in one of our general or childcare first aid courses. We have training locations in Perth and in very other state, capital city, and major town throughout Australia.
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