Predators. Daddy-long-legs Spiders and White-tailed Spiders are known to catch and kill Redback Spiders.
Best Treatment for Redback Spiders
To control spiders in the home, spray Yates Long Term Control Barrier Spray. This product is designed to kill on contact and provide a control barrier for up to 12 months indoors and 3 months outdoors.
Animals which feed directly on spiders include birds, reptiles, mammals and many arthropods, including other spiders, centipedes, scorpions and even some insects.
The red-back spider weaves a snare-like structure that traps prey walking on the ground beneath the web. Its spring-like action traps the animal into the small web above, where it cannot escape from the traplines that are covered with sticky globules.
Cats are particularly sensitive to the venom, and can then go on to develop paralysis, inability to breath, cardiac failure and death.
Redbacks don't like damp humid conditions, so ensure watering is not excessive. Enclosure: Enclosure should be escape proof and have sufficient space for the spider to construct its web and trap snares. A small terrarium or large jar is sufficient, however larger enclosures will allow the spider to create larger webs.
A bite from a red back spider may not be life threatening for a large dog but will be a major threat for a small dog or cat. The animal may appear distressed and begin vomiting. They may display muscle weakness and perhaps even lapse into a coma. Apply a cold compress to the bite and seek veterinary advice immediately.
1. Sydney funnel-web (Atrax robustus) With highly toxic venom produced in large amounts and large fangs to inject it, the Sydney funnel-web is without a doubt the deadliest spider in Australia, and possibly the world.
Habitat. Redback spiders are found all across Australia, including many highly urban areas. They may come in contact with humans more often than other species because they like to live inside structures.
Sydney funnel-web spider. According to the Guinness World Records, the Sydney funnel-web spider, Atrax robustus, is the most dangerous spider to humans in the world. Native to Australia, this poisonous spider is found in moist habitats such as under logs or in gardens.
It's easy to keep spiders away using natural products. These eight-legged creatures hate the smell of citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges. They also don't like peppermint oils, tea tree oils, eucalyptus, and vinegar. Using any of these around your home will keep spiders away.
Sydney funnel-web spider.
Huntsman spiders are not normally aggressive towards humans (except for females guarding their egg sacs). They are more likely to run away than attack, unless provoked.
Yet despite their apparent harmlessness, Daddy-long-legs have little trouble catching, wrapping and killing much larger Huntsman spiders. They have even been known to catch Redback spiders and Funnel-web spiders, both of which are far larger and more toxic than the Daddy-long-legs.
Despite their potent venom, redback spiders aren't particularly aggressive. They prefer to hide from threats. Most bites occur when humans accidentally disturb their hiding places and possibly dislodge them.
Redback Spider territories
They prefer quiet, dark, undisturbed surroundings commonly found in grasses, throughout piles of junk, empty drums, cans and tins, dark corners of homes, stationary machinery, grease traps, under dry stones and especially in outdoor areas such as toilets and sheds.
Redbacks tend to dwell around building foundations and on the exterior of buildings. One of the most common redback nesting spots is near outside window frames. If your property has piles of outdoor storage materials or piles of scrap, rocks or wood, be aware that there may be nests lurking underneath.
A bite will usually cause severe pain, sweating, vomiting, difficulty breathing and muscle twitching.
Redback spider webs are not a classic spider web and may be a bit hard to spot. The web looks a bit like an untidy fishing net, often with leaves or debris included. Sometimes an egg sac can be spotted in the web.
The Australian funnel-web spiders are among the deadliest spiders in the world in the effect their bites have on humans and our primate relations (although the bite has little effect on dogs and cats). There are many species of funnel-web spiders in Australia but only male Sydney Funnel-webs have caused human deaths.
The danger of spiders in Australia
The two most dangerous groups are those commonly known as Funnel web spiders (which include 3 genera of spiders) and Redback spiders.
In Australia they are only found in the southeastern part of the country, from South Australia to Queensland via Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. You won't find them in the dry and arid zones. On the other hand, huntsman and wolf-spiders are found all over the country.
As pets go, Guinea Pigs are the most susceptible to the bite of a Red Back. Cats come next and dogs are the most resistant to the bite, but they are certainly not immune.
Intense localised pain, with swelling and sweating starting five minutes after the bite. Pain and swelling may be experienced over the body after about half an hour. Headache, nausea and vomiting may occur after one hour - profuse sweating is common.
Despite their generous size and active nature, huntsman spiders are usually harmless to cats and dogs. If your pet consumes a Hunstman, the venom from a huntsman won't impact them the same way it does from a bite.