White-tailed spiders, Lampona cylindrata, are common and widespread across Australia.
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.
They are found on tree trunks, logs, rock walls, and buildings (also in window frames and crevices). Commonly also found in urban areas, Black House Spiders also build webs in dark corners of windows, veranda's, sheds of fences.
These spiders are venomous but have very mild venom which is not considered dangerous to humans. Most are very reluctant to bite, and will attempt to run away from any threats they encounter. Contrary to popular belief, huntsman spiders do not chase people. They do not see like we do, and cannot see us from a distance.
There's not enough food inside a house for a huntsman spider, so they're best off outside." Dr Harvey said the safest method, for both people and spiders, was to use a container. He said while they can give a painful bite, they don't pose a risk to humans.
"It's pretty unlikely to ever happen," says an insect expert. PHEW. A chill of arachnophobia trickled across Australia this week after a NSW spider expert claimed it's "very likely" huntsman spiders have crawled across your face while you slept.
Danger to humans
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 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.
That is quite the sight, but picture this — millions of tiny spiders raining from the sky. While it can sound like something out of a horror movie, in Australia the transition from late summer to fall can trigger what is known to the locals as spider season.
"Daddy-Longlegs are one of the most poisonous spiders, but their fangs are too short to bite humans"
As adults, huntsman spiders do not build webs, but hunt and forage for food. They live in the crevices of tree bark, but will frequently wander into homes and vehicles. They are able to travel extremely fast, often using a springing jump while running, and walk on walls and even on ceilings.
Funnel Web Spider
By far and away the most dangerous spider in Australia, the Funnel-web is far more common than we would like! They are equipped which huge fangs (bigger than a brown snake!) and enough venom to kill an adult human.
Myth: Spiders in the home are a danger to children and pets.
Fact: House spiders prey on insects and other small creatures. They are not bloodsuckers, and have no reason to bite a human or any other animal too large for them to eat.
Most spiders, including common house spiders, are harmless to humans. Though they do have venom glands, their venom is poisonous to prey, not people. Plus, few spiders actually bite humans. Of those that do, fatalities are rare, even among venomous species such as the black widow spider.
Are common house spider bites venomous? Common house spiders do have venom in their fangs that they use to paralyze prey. However, they have very small fangs and the amount of venom within them is minimal compared to the average human. Most humans are unlikely to have a reaction to a common house spider bite.
Find out what to do if you're bitten and how to identify a spider. Australia is well-known for its spiders, but the place isn't overrun with them. While we may have some of the world's most venomous species, you are unlikely to come across one unbless you go looking for one or happen to disturb one hiding away.
An estimated 5 per cent of Australians have arachnophobia, but there are plenty of others happy to get close to the creepy crawlies. "People find it thrilling," said Catherine Timbrell, the producer of a major exhibition on spiders opening on Saturday at the Australian Museum.
Getting bitten by a spider in your sleep is fairly uncommon. Spiders generally only bite when they feel threatened. Most types of spiders have toxic venom. The majority of spiders don't have strong enough venom to cause serious harm to humans and only cause minor injury.
Animals which feed directly on spiders include birds, reptiles, mammals and many arthropods, including other spiders, centipedes, scorpions and even some insects.
A easily made solution to the issue that works fast is to create a spray with peppermint or citrus, whilst they smell nice to us, spiders absolutely despise these scents which will prevent them coming into your property if you are to regularly spray down potential entrances. From time to time help may be needed.
As they can move very quickly, instead of using a broom or an object they can run along to move them, try to slowly and gently place a container over them and push a piece of paper underneath. You can now carry them safely outside to release them.
People aren't usually overjoyed to see a spider crawling around inside their home. But Matt Bertone, an entomologist at North Carolina State University, says spiders are an important part of our indoor ecosystem and rarely a danger to humans — so it's best to just leave them alone. "They're part of our environment.