Spiders typically start their invasion of homes from September through to October each year. Thankfully, those who are afraid of the creatures won't have to put up with the unwelcome intruders for long, as they tend to be spotted less often indoors by the first week of October.
Poisonous spiders like the Sydney funnel-web come out in spring when the weather starts to warm and while the soil is still damp from winter rains. November would be a good time to see them.
While there really isn't a season for spiders, late summer and early fall can show you the ones that have been hiding in your home. If you're dealing with an infestation during this “spider season,” here's what you need to know.
Spiders instinctively know to find shelter as it gets colder, such as leaves or inside crevices in tree bark. Those small, sheltered places, combined with their antifreeze, keeps them alive until spring.
Spiders usually start to come out in early September, with their presence noticeable in homes until around mid-October. After this, they tend to be spotted indoors less often.
Spiders are not attracted to light. However, like any other animal, they are attracted to food. Since other insects gravitate toward lights, the spiders will follow them there. Any light that attracts flying insects is a prime spot for 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.
Spiders are not attracted to heat and can live quite comfortably in a wide temperature range. Most spiders prefer temperatures hovering around 70 degrees.
Animals which feed directly on spiders include birds, reptiles, mammals and many arthropods, including other spiders, centipedes, scorpions and even some insects.
It's mating season.
Spider mating season starts in the late summer and early fall when many spiders will leave their web searching for a mate. Some of them may move inside, and once there, they'll mate and nest in comfortable spots.
Spiders are much more noticeable in the fall. That doesn't mean there are more of them. It's really about the fact that since some spiders lay eggs in the spring, they have had a few months to grow up – and grow bigger.
Spiders typically start their invasion of homes from September through to October each year. Thankfully, those who are afraid of the creatures won't have to put up with the unwelcome intruders for long, as they tend to be spotted less often indoors by the first week of October.
The Sydney funnelweb spider Atrax robustus, is considered to be the world's most dangerous spider. It is found within a 100 km diameter circle around Sydney. No deaths have occurred since the advent of an antivenom in 1981.
Funnel web spider habitat extends primarily along the east coast of Australia, with summer being peak activity season. Sometimes these spiders are found in swimming pools.
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.
Killing spiders will only attract other spiders; often, this makes way for nastier spiders. Some spiders are doing you a favor and are good to have in your home.
The stinky smell of sweaty socks might repulse humans, but scientists now find it enthralls mosquitoes and spiders. The odor apparently helps the creatures hunt down their victims — the mosquitoes want to feed on people, while the spiders prefer to devour the mosquitoes.
Spiders really don't like strong scents such as citrus, peppermint, tea-tree, lavender, rose or cinnamon. Add 15 to 20 drops of your chosen essential oil or a couple of capfuls of Zoflora fragrance to a spray bottle filled with water, and spritz around the house.
White Vinegar
In a spray bottle, mix white vinegar and water in equal parts. Then, get ready to spray whenever you see a spider—the acidic nature of the vinegar will kill the spider on contact.
Due to their behavior, they do not come in contact with enough insecticide to kill them. Unless you spray a spider directly, it is really hard to exterminate. To control spiders there are a few tricks you can use: *Sweep down the webs regularly.
Spiders don't like the smells of strong odours such as cinnamon, eucalyptus oil and citrus. Use cinnamon candles and spray eucalyptus and lemon/orange oil in areas where you often see webs.
Barking Spiders produce their barking sound by rubbing rows of spines on their palaps against spines on their lower jaw. This noise is used to deter predators. The deserts are prone to flash flooding and Barking Spiders live in burrows with leaky rooves.
Sydney Funnel Web Spider
Found nearly exclusively in Sydney, this spider is often considered the most deadly in the world. With fangs that can pierce through fingernails, and one specimen reaching 10cm stretched out, this spider is serious business. A single bite can kill a human in 15 minutes.