The Gold Coast, home to stunning, golden beaches, warm weather and bustling city life. This place is the go-to vacation retreat destination for many people on the east coast, but it’s also home to plenty of spider species. Here at Cure All, we understand that the presence of spiders in your home or garden can be unsettling. Spider pest control is a common request. While these arachnids play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, some species can pose significant health risks to humans. In this blog, we’ll provide detailed information about the ten most common spiders found on the Gold Coast. So if you’re a Gold Coast local, or visiting and find an alien looking spider crawling about in your Airbnb, this guide is here to help you identify it.
Please note: It is extremely important to never handle spiders directly. Some species are highly venomous and can cause serious health issues. Always contact professional spider pest control services if you suspect a dangerous spider infestation.
Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasseltii)
Commonly Found:
- Sheltered, dry areas like sheds, under outdoor furniture, logs, and rocks.
Typical Behaviours:
- Builds messy, tangled webs.
- Females rarely leave their webs.
Physical Description:
- Females: Glossy black with a distinctive red or orange stripe on the upper side of the abdomen and an hourglass-shaped red/orange marking on the underside. They have slender legs and can reach up to 1 cm in body length.
- Males: Smaller than females, about 3-4 mm in length, light brown with white or yellow markings.
Danger Level:
- Females are highly venomous, but fatalities are rare due to effective antivenom.
How to Prevent These Spiders:
- Regularly check and clean potential hiding spots.
- Wear gloves when gardening.
First Aid Advice:
- Apply ice to the bite area.
- Seek medical help immediately.
White-Tailed Spider (Lampona cylindrata)
Commonly Found:
- Under rocks, logs, and bark; often enters homes and hides in clothing and bedding.
Typical Behaviours:
- Hunts other spiders; known to wander indoors.
Physical Description:
- Dark grey to black body with a cylindrical shape.
- Distinctive white spot at the tip of the abdomen.
- Length ranges from 12-16 mm for females, slightly smaller for males.
Danger Level:
- Bites cause pain and swelling, but necrosis is a myth.
How to Prevent These Spiders:
- Keep clothes off the floor.
- Check bedding regularly.
First Aid Advice:
- Clean the bite with antiseptic.
- Apply a cold pack and seek medical advice if symptoms are severe.
Black House Spider (Badumna insignis)
Commonly Found:
- Around windows, doors, and under eaves in funnel-shaped webs.
Typical Behaviours:
- Shy and retreats when disturbed.
Physical Description:
- Dark brown to black, robust body.
- The cephalothorax and legs are densely covered with dark hairs.
- The abdomen is charcoal-grey with a dorsal pattern of white markings.
Danger Level:
- Bites can cause pain, nausea, and sweating, but are not fatal.
How to Prevent These Spiders:
- Regularly remove webs and clean areas where they are commonly found.
First Aid Advice:
- Apply ice and seek medical help if symptoms are severe.
Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae family)
Commonly Found:
- Inside homes, especially at night.
Typical Behaviours:
- Fast-moving and can jump; hunts insects.
Physical Description:
- Large and flat body.
- Legs are long and often have banded appearance.
- Body length can be up to 15 cm including legs.
- Colour varies from grey to brown, often with mottled patterns.
Danger Level:
- Bites are generally mild but can be painful.
How to Prevent These Spiders:
- Seal cracks and gaps in windows and doors.
First Aid Advice:
- Clean the bite with antiseptic.
- Apply a cold pack if needed.
Garden Orb-Weaving Spider (Eriophora transmarina)
Commonly Found:
- Gardens, building large, circular webs.
Typical Behaviours:
- Spins webs to catch prey, usually at night.
Physical Description:
- Large, round abdomen with variable colours, often grey to reddish-brown.
- Distinctive patterns, sometimes with white or yellow markings.
- Females can grow up to 3 cm in body length, males are smaller.
Danger Level:
- Bite may be painful, but generally not dangerous to humans.
How to Prevent These Spiders:
- Avoid walking into webs in the garden. Keep the garden clean to prevent insect activity. Remove webs when spotted.
First Aid Advice:
- No specific first aid needed as they are not dangerous.
Daddy-Long-Legs Spider (Pholcus phalangioides)
Commonly Found:
- Inside homes, in dark corners and basements.
Typical Behaviours:
- Spins messy webs and hunts other spiders.
Physical Description:
- Small, peanut-shaped body.
- Very long, thin legs.
- Light brown or grey in colour, with a body length of about 2-10 mm.
Danger Level:
- Harmless to humans, though their bites can produce mild burning sensation.
How to Prevent These Spiders:
- Careful, regular cleaning of corners and behind furniture.
First Aid Advice:
- None needed as they are harmless.
Funnel-Web Spider (Hadronyche infensa)
Commonly Found:
- Moist, sheltered habitats like under rocks and logs.
Typical Behaviours:
- Builds silk-lined burrows with trip lines.
Physical Description:
- Dark brown to black, shiny carapace.
- Body length ranges from 1 cm to 5 cm.
- Females are larger and more robust than males.
Danger Level:
- Highly venomous; immediate medical attention required.
How to Prevent These Spiders:
- Avoid disturbing their habitats and wear gloves when working in the garden. Enlist help from spider pest control experts like Cure All.
First Aid Advice:
- Apply pressure immobilisation bandage.
- Call an ambulance immediately.
Trapdoor Spider (Arbanitis species)
Commonly Found:
- Burrows in the ground with a camouflaged entrance.
Typical Behaviours:
- Ambush predators; rarely seen outside their burrows.
Physical Description:
- Brown, robust body with powerful jaws.
- Length ranges from 2.5 to 4 cm.
- Covered in fine hairs, giving a velvety appearance.
Danger Level:
- Bites can be painful but are not fatal.
How to Prevent These Spiders:
- Be cautious when gardening.
First Aid Advice:
- Clean the bite and apply ice.
St. Andrews Cross Spider (Argiope keyserlingi)
Commonly Found:
- Gardens, bushland, and shrubby areas where it can build its distinctive webs between trees and shrubs.
Typical Behaviours:
- Known for constructing large webs with a unique X-shaped cross of silk in the centre where it typically sits.
Physical Description:
- Females: Larger than males, with body lengths up to 25 mm. Features silvery carapace and bright, colourful abdomen with patterns of yellow, white, and black. Oval and somewhat flattened abdomen, with a pointed posterior end.
- Males: Significantly smaller, around 5-6 mm in body length. Less colourful than females, generally brownish or gray with similar banding on the legs.
Danger Level:
- Mildly venomous; bites can cause localised pain, redness, and swelling but are generally not harmful to humans.
How to Prevent These Spiders:
- Regularly inspect and clear out empty webs from garden areas, especially in high-traffic zones.
- Maintain garden hygiene to minimise insect populations that attract these spiders.
- Use outdoor lighting judiciously, as lights can attract insects and subsequently, spiders.
First Aid Advice:
- If bitten, clean the bite area with antiseptic.
- Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling.
- Seek medical advice if symptoms worsen or if there is a concern about allergic reactions
Mouse Spider (Missulena bradleyi)
Commonly Found:
- Within distinctive burrows that serve as their homes and hunting grounds, often near water.
Typical Behaviours:
- Aggressive when disturbed.
Physical Description:
- Stocky, with a black or dark brown body.
- Males have a distinctive red head and jaws.
- Females are larger, up to 3 cm in body length.
- Can have a slight blue tinge to the abdomen.
Danger Level:
- Potentially dangerous; bites can be severe.
How to Prevent These Spiders:
- Avoid disturbing burrows. Call a spider pest control expert like Cure All.
First Aid Advice:
- Apply pressure immobilisation bandage.
- Seek medical help immediately.
Effective Spider Pest Control on the Gold Coast
In summary, understanding the diverse spider population on the Gold Coast is crucial for maintaining a safe and comfortable living environment. From the notorious Redback Spider to the elusive Trapdoor Spider, each species has unique behaviours and characteristics that require specific handling and prevention strategies.
Key Takeaways:
- Identification: Knowing the physical descriptions and typical habitats of these common spiders helps in identifying them accurately.
- Prevention: Regular maintenance and cleaning, along with sealing potential entry points, can significantly reduce spider infestations.
- Safety: Always prioritise safety by avoiding direct contact with spiders, especially those known to be venomous. Use professional pest control services for effective management.
For more information on our spider pest control services or to schedule an inspection, contact Cure All today. Let us help you create a safer, more comfortable living space.
