Bites and Stings
Perth is home to a variety of spider species ranging from the virtually harmless to the outright deadly. After reading this article, you will know what these spiders look like, where they hide, and how to treat their bites.
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.
A female Redback spider
Male redback spiders, meanwhile, have the following characteristics:
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:
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:
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.
The Daddy-long-legs spider
Daddy-long-legs have the following characteristics:
They like to build their thin, tangled webs in sheltered, undisturbed areas of the house, including:
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.
The White tailed spider
The White tailed spider has the following characteristics:
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.
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:
If you sustain a White tailed spider bite, follow the same procedure as for a Redback spider bite.
The Black house spider
The Black house spider has the following characteristics:
Black house spiders are often mistaken for Funnel web spiders, though Funnel web spiders tend to be less hairy.
They typically build their web retreats in:
Black house spiders are a shy species and rarely bite people.
However, their venom can cause considerable pain and swelling. On rare occasions, it can also cause:
If you sustain a bite from a Black house spider, follow the same procedure as for a Funnel web spider bite.
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The Huntsman spider
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 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.
The Wolf spider
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.
Originally published at
https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/resources/spiders-in-perth
as part of the Australia Wide First Aid Articles Library