Which spiders are we dealing with?
Black with a red stripe. Messy webs under outdoor furniture, in letterboxes, sheds and pool fences.
Glossy black, 15–35mm. Burrows in damp soil and under rocks. Most common in suburbs bordering bushland.
Dark, cigar-shaped with a white tip. Wanders indoors at night hunting other spiders.
Lacy webs in window corners; huntsmen are large but not dangerous.
Signs to look for
- Webs in window corners, eaves and under the pergola
- Redbacks in letterboxes, meter boxes and under outdoor chairs
- Spiders inside after rain or during summer heat
Spiders around Sydney
Homes in Campbelltown and the new Camden estates sit close to bushland and cleared paddocks, which is prime funnel-web and redback country. A treatment won't guarantee a funnel-web never appears, but it cuts the numbers sharply.
Funnel-web or unknown big black spider: apply a pressure-immobilisation bandage, keep the person still and call 000. Redback: apply a cold pack, don't bandage, and seek medical help. For advice, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
What you can do yourself
- Wear gloves for gardening and moving pots
- Shake out shoes and clothes left outside
- Keep firewood, bricks and rubbish away from the house
- Check pool areas in the morning in summer, as funnel-webs often fall in overnight
How we treat spiders
We apply a residual spray to eaves, external walls, windows, door frames, fences, letterboxes, garden edges and sheds, and knock down existing webs. Inside, we treat skirting boards and wardrobes. The roof void gets a dust treatment.
How to prepare
- Clear items away from external walls if you can
- Close windows during the external treatment
- Don't brush down webs for 2 weeks after, so spiders contact the treated surfaces