Trapdoor spiders!
The redback spider is one of Australia’s most recognisable
species and they
are commonly found in habitats ranging from bushland to urban
areas.
Fast factwind as soon as conditions are right. This is how
redback spiders turn up in new places or quickly recolonise areas from which
they have previously been removed.
Pest status and managementRedback spiders are not aggressive, and
rarely leave the web. However caution is advised as their bite is very poisonous
and potentially fatal for children or the
elderly.
After a bite, the onset of pain may be delayed for five minutes
then increase in intensity. Subsequent symptoms vary but have
included:
nausea
vomiting
abdominal or generalised pain
sweating
restlessness
palpitations
weakness
muscle spasm
fever.
Anyone bitten by a redback spider should seek medical
attention.
Do not bandage the bite but apply iced water and take simple
painkillers.
An antivenene is available and very
effective.
Manage redback spiders by learning to recognise their webs and
the kinds of places they live. Always take care when gardening or moving objects
where redback spiders might be hiding.
Fumigation has only temporary effects on redback spider numbers
and kills its natural enemies.
Funnel-web spiders are some of the world’s most deadly spiders
and are found
in coastal and mountain regions of eastern and southern
Australia.
species and they
are commonly found in habitats ranging from bushland to urban
areas.
Fast factwind as soon as conditions are right. This is how
redback spiders turn up in new places or quickly recolonise areas from which
they have previously been removed.
Pest status and managementRedback spiders are not aggressive, and
rarely leave the web. However caution is advised as their bite is very poisonous
and potentially fatal for children or the
elderly.
After a bite, the onset of pain may be delayed for five minutes
then increase in intensity. Subsequent symptoms vary but have
included:
nausea
vomiting
abdominal or generalised pain
sweating
restlessness
palpitations
weakness
muscle spasm
fever.
Anyone bitten by a redback spider should seek medical
attention.
Do not bandage the bite but apply iced water and take simple
painkillers.
An antivenene is available and very
effective.
Manage redback spiders by learning to recognise their webs and
the kinds of places they live. Always take care when gardening or moving objects
where redback spiders might be hiding.
Fumigation has only temporary effects on redback spider numbers
and kills its natural enemies.
Funnel-web spiders are some of the world’s most deadly spiders
and are found
in coastal and mountain regions of eastern and southern
Australia.