Pest Control for Spiders

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Spiders are members of Class Arachnida - the group of arthropods that include ticks, mites, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes and slaters - and belong to Suborders Mesothene (segmented spiders) and Opisthothelae (all other spiders - encompassing Infraorders Mygalomorphae - 'ancient' spiders and  Araneomorphae - 'modern' spiders) within Order Araneida. In Australia, there is approximately 10,000 species of spiders estimated, with over 2,000 of them described. 

Spiders are usually unwelcome visitors to your home - aside from their messy webs, they give most people a bit of an adrenaline rush when spotted. Despite their unpleasant appearance, most spiders are harmless to humans. Their preferred food source is other insects. Unfortunately, in Australia, there are three species of spiders that are common household pests that have built themselves a reputation for making their way into homes and biting humans: the Sydney funnelweb spider, the whitetailed spider and the redback spider aka black widow spider. 

Sydney funnelweb spiders and redback spiders are considered to be very toxic. A funnelweb spider bite is considered a medical emergency and in this instance an ambulance should be called, whereas a redback spider bite can be treated at home. The whitetailed spider is not toxic to humans, although their bite will cause local pain and blistering. Contrary to suggested claims, the whitetailed spider does not responsible for causing necrotic ulcers or flesh-rotting wounds. 

Spider control

Effective control of spiders relies on the direct contact of the spider with an appropriate insecticide. Minimising the available food source for spiders, being other insects, will also aid in the control of spiders. 

Spiders of common occurrence

Ground dwelling spiders:

• Sydney funnelweb spider (Altrax robusts) - [very toxic]
• Nothern rivers funnelweb spider (Hadronyche formidabilis) - [very toxic]
• Sydney brown trapdoor spider (Misgolas rapax) - [not toxic]
• Mouse spider (Missulena spp.) - [toxic]
• Wolf spider (Lycosa spp.) - [some may be toxic]

Orb-weaving spiders:

• Garden orb-weaver spider (Eriophora spp.) - [not toxic]
• St Andrew's cross spider (Argiope keyserlingii) - [not toxic]
• Leaf curling spider (Phonognatha graeffi)  - [not toxic]
• Two-spinned spider (Poecilopachys austalasia) - [not toxic]
• Tailed spider (Arachnura higginsii) - [not toxic]
• Golden orb-weaver (Nephila spp.) - [not toxic]

Spider anglers:

• Magnificent spider (Ordgarius magnificus) - [not toxic]
• Hairy imperial spider (Ordgarius furcatus) - [not toxic]
• Bird-dropping spider (Celaenia kinbergii) - [not toxic]

Other spiders:

• Redback spider (Lacrodectus hasselti) - [very toxic]
• Black house spider (Badumna insignis) - [toxic]
• Whitetailed spider (Lampona cylindrata) - [not toxic]
• Huntsman spider (Isopeda immanis) - [not toxic]
• Net-casting spider (Deinopis subrufa) - [not toxic]
• Jumping spider (Myrmarachne spp.) - [not toxic]

Preventing spiders from entering your home 

• Seal all doors and ensure all window screens are properly fitted.
• Seal off any cracks and crevices around windows, doors, pipes and wire entry points. 
• Screen all vents. 
• Consider having routine pest management services to eliminate food sources that attract spiders to your home. 

Implementing and maintaining these tips may avoid spiders from entering your home.

Avoidance of spider bites

• Wear gloves when gardening and handling soil or rubbish.
• Wear sensible footwear when walking outside, particularly at night, when most ground-dwelling spiders are active.
• Where extensive excavations, landscaping, digging or gardening has occurred nearby, be alert for disturbed ground-dwelling spiders, which may enter buildings.
• Don't leave toys, clothes and other such articles on the ground overnight.
• Be alert for ground-dwelling spiders following long periods of wet weather. Burrowing spiders have particular preferences, so extremes of weather may cause them to wander more than usual. 

Implementing and maintaining these tips may avoid you coming into contact with a spider. 

Symptoms and first aid treatment of toxic spider bites 

Funnelweb spider

Symtoms:

• Sharp pain at bite site, 
• Profuse sweating, 
• Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, 
• Copious secretion of saliva, 
• Muscular twitching,  
• Breathing difficulty, 
• Small hairs stand on end, 
• Numbness around mouth, 
• Copious tears, 
• Disorientation, 
• Fast pulse, 
• Markedly increased blood pressure, and/or
• Confusion leading to unconsciousness. 

First aid treatment:

1. Follow DRSABCD.
2. Call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
3. Lie the patient down and ask them to keep still.  Reassure the patient. 
4. If on a limb, apply an elasticised roller bandage (10–15 cm wide) over the bite site as soon as possible. 
5. Apply a further elasticised roller bandage (10–15 cm wide), starting just above the fingers or toes  and moving upwards on the bitten limb as far as can be reached - apply the bandage as firmly as possible to the  limb. You should be unable to easily slide a finger between the bandage and the skin. 
6. Immobilise the bandaged limb using splints. 
7. Write down the time of the bite and when the  bandage was applied. If possible, mark the  location of the bite site (if known) on the skin with  a pen, or photograph the site. Do not wash venom off the skin or clothes because it can assist identification. 
8. Stay with the patient until medical aid arrives. 

Redback spider

Symptoms:

• Sharp pain at bite site, 
• Profuse sweating, 
• Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, 
•  Intense local pain which increases and spreads, 
• Small hairs stand on end, 
• Patchy sweating, 
• Headache, and/or 
• Muscle weakness or spasms. 

First aid treatment:

1.  Wash the injured site with soap and water. 
2. Apply a cold pack to the bitten or stung area for 15 minutes and reapply if pain continues. 
3. Seek medical attention if the patient develops severe symptoms. 

When to seek professional assistance for spider control

We are happy to manage any of your spider situations for any reason - be it that they are making a mess with their webs around your home, they give you a shock when you notice them, or it would help you sleep better at night knowing they are not in your home. 

If you sight a spider that resembles those that are toxic to humans, it would be safest to have a professional pest technician manage the situation for you. 

Eviktus' approach to addressing a spider situation

1. Conduct a thorough inspection to identify the species of spider and assess the extent of the infestation. This will inform our treatment methods. 
2. Provide an immediate report on the severity of the infestation and advise on suitable treatment options.
3. Develop a treatment strategy tailored to your unique home and situation. 
4. Implement the treatment strategy to provide you with efficient and effective relief from the spiders.
5. Deliver a comprehensive report in accordance with applicable Federal and State and Territory legislative requirements. 
6. Follow up with any recommended routine services that you may choose to receive from Eviktus. 

If you have any questions or would like further information related to this content, please don't hesitate to reach out and a friendly Eviktus representative will be happy to assist you.