Spiders control by Valley Pest Management, Cessnock, Hunter Valley

Spiders – Interesting facts

Australia has over 2,400 species of spider. Less than 50 of them are harmful to humans.

Spiders were among the first animals to live on land, an estimated 400 million years ago.
Most spider bites can cause a reaction. Always seek medical advice when a spider bite is suspected.
There is an urban myth that says the Daddy Long Legs is the country’s most poisonous spider. This myth is still unsubstantiated as it has a jaw that cannot open wide enough to bite us! (This is why we have never scientifically analysed its venom).

White-tailed Spiders have a dark reddish to grey, cigar-shaped body and dark orange-brown banded legs. The grey dorsal abdomen bears two pairs of faint white spots (less distinct in adults) with a white spot at the tip

White-tailed Spider bites can cause initial burning pain followed by swelling and itchiness at the bitten area.
A debate continues about the involvement of White-tailed Spider bite in cases of severe ulcerative skin lesions seen in patients diagnosed as probable spider bite victims. Typically, in such cases no direct evidence of spider bite is available. Sensational media reporting of supposed cases of severe “necrotising arachnidism” has given the White-tailed Spider a bad reputation. However, a recent study has monitored the medical outcomes of over 100 verified White-tailed Spider bites and found not a single case of ulceration (confirming the results of an earlier study). The available evidence suggests that skin ulceration is not a common outcome of White-tailed Spider bite.

Black House and Grey House Spiders are common in urban areas, and are sometimes called Window Spiders.
The webs of Black House Spiders have a ‘funnel-like’ shape, which is sometimes misunderstood as a Funnel-web Spider web.

Black House Spiders are timid animals and bites from them are infrequent. The bite may be quite painful and cause local swelling. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sweating and giddiness are occasionally recorded. In a few cases skin lesions have developed after multiple bites

Only the female bite is dangerous.
Redback bites occur frequently, particularly over the summer months. More than 250 cases receive antivenom each year, with several milder envenomations probably going unreported. Female Redback spider can cause serious illness and have caused deaths. However, since Redback Spiders rarely leave their webs, humans are not likely to be bitten unless a body part such as a hand is put directly into the web, and because of their small jaws many bites are ineffective. The venom acts directly on the nerves, resulting in release and subsequent depletion of neurotransmitters.

Daddy-long-legs spiders are easily recognised by their extremely long, skinny legs and small body. They are cream to pale brown. Some species have darker markings on their legs and abdomen
Daddy-long-legs Spiders are found in most urban areas, in particular houses. They make a thin, tangled web in sheltered positions were they are unlikely to be disturbed, such as under furniture, behind doors, in the corner of the ceilings, in sheds, in garages and under decks. Its successful use of these human-made structures has made it one of the most common spiders in Australia.

There is a persistent belief that the Daddy-long-legs Spider has the most toxic venom of all spiders. However, there is no scientific evidence to back this up. The myth probably grew from observations that the Daddy-long-legs Spider will kill and eat a Redback Spider. However, the venom is not actually that potent, even for insects.

Sydney Funnel-webs are shiny, dark brown to black spiders with finger-like spinnerets (silk-spinning organs) at the end of their abdomen. Males have a large mating spur projecting from the middle of their second pair of legs. If threatened, Sydney Funnel-webs show aggressive behaviour, rearing and displaying their impressive fangs.

Funnel-web bites are dangerous.
The venom has a neurotoxin component that attacks the human nervous system and, in the worst cases, can result in death. However, there have been no fatalities since the introduction of antivenom.
First aid should be given immediately using the pressure bandage/immobilisation technique (as for snake bite) and the victim taken to hospital and given antivenom if necessary.

We use effective control methods on managing the spider population on your property.

Step 1: Assessment – Examine your property and identify areas of concerns, identifying the spider species
Step 2: Treatment – Once the species is identified then the effective methods will be discussed
Step 3: Cleaning – We can also assist in the removal of spider webs if required but will have to be completed a minimum of 14 days after treatment (additional cost apply).
Step 4: Preventive measures – Discussion around preventive measures may be discussed after treatment but usually consist of (Pruning of Trees and Hedges, Maintaining of lawn to and exceptable height, Limiting of stored items inertially and externally) All items can be Managed by Valley Pest Management (additional cost apply)

Call Valley Pest Management on 0407779957 for further discussion or to arrange an onsite visit.

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