• Home
• :: Spider ID's and Drop offs
• :: Spider First Aid & Drop-off Points

What you need to know about spiders

There are five spiders that regularly cause concern to members of the public in this area. Of these only the funnel-webs and red-backs are currently considered dangerous though there are others, such as mouse spiders, which are rarely encountered but potentially dangerous. Any spider larger in size than a dollar coin should be treated with respect, as all spiders have venom glands, though only the large species have fangs able to puncture human skin. The following safety rules apply to all spiders:

1. Do not leave clothes, shoes, towels, etc. on the floor
2. Check shoes before putting them on
3. Do not walk about at night without footwear
4. Do not handle spiders that appear to have drowned in pools, buckets, etc.
5. Wear gloves when gardening or working outside

First Aid

1. Keep the bite victim calm and immobile.
2. For a funnel-web bite, apply a pressure-immobilization bandage to the bite site and the adjacent limb. For example, a bite on the finger should be treated by bandaging the entire arm. Further restrict movement by applying a splint.
3. For a red-back bite, the only first aid required is the application of an ice pack to the bite site to reduce the pain.
4. Seek emergency medical assistance immediately.

Common Australian Spiders

FUNNEL-WEB SPIDER ( Atrax sp. and Hadronyche sp.)

RED-BACKED SPIDER ( Latrodectus hasselti )

WHITE-TAILED SPIDER ( Lampona cylindrata )

BROWN TRAPDOOR SPIDER ( Misgolas sp.)

HUNTSMAN SPIDER (Various species)

Drop-off Points for Spider Anti-Venom Program