Spiders Australia

Spiders thrive in the heat and humidity typical of Australia.  Australia is home to some of the most poisonous spiders in the world, including the:

• Funnel web spider
• Redback spider
• Mouse spider
• White tailed spider
• Black house spider, and
• Wolf spider.

If it’s any consolation, the world’s most venomous spider (according to the Guinness Book of Records) is the Brazilian wandering spider which, as its name may suggest, is native to Brazil.
Although many people are bitten by spiders each year, morbidity and death are extremely rare, especially since the introduction of anti-venom.  With a bit of knowledge, you can easily protect yourself from spider bites.
Spiders usually build their homes in dusty, undisturbed areas.  To prevent them from making your home their home, sweep, vacuum or mop regularly – this includes under beds and cupboards.  You can also knock down their webs, although it’s not a bad idea to leave outside spiders be, as they eat insects and other household pests.
Spiders also like dry, cool places.  It seems like their favourite place is inside shoes and gardening gloves left carelessly outside.  Most Australians are in the habit of shaking out shoes or gloves before putting them on.  Always be careful when gardening and never, ever stick your bare hand inside a hole in the ground or the wall.
If you are bitten by a spider, it is vital that you remain calm and still to prevent the venom from coursing through your blood stream – in fact, the Aboriginal remedy for spider bites was to have a nap.  In the worst case scenario, i.e. if you are bitten by a funnel web spider, which has the most potent venom, you more than fifteen minutes to get to the hospital (a funnel web bite can kill a child in fifteen minutes if medical attention is not sought.)  For other spiders, you have hours and even days.  Of course, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Try to remember what the spider looked like, and catch it if you safely can – this will help with your treatment.  Get yourself to the emergency room

While all spiders possess venom, many are too small (such as the daddy long legs) to commit a bite, while others (such as the huntsman) are non-aggressive and will only attack when severely provoked.  It is a good idea to get yourself a spider identification chart (these can be obtained for free online or at reptile stores) so that you know which are venomous (and thus should be removed by a professional) and which are harmless.  Spiders eat flies, mosquitoes and other household pests, so if you can stand to share your house with a spider, the benefits are enormous.