White-tailed spiders display a cigar-shaped body that ranges in colour from dark red to grey, accompanied by banded legs that are dark orange, brown. Their abdomen features two pairs of faint white spots and a white spot at the tip. Male white-tailed spiders have a narrow, hard plate on the front of their abdomen. The females can grow to a length of up to 18mm, while the males grow only up to 12mm.
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About White-Tailed Spiders
White-tailed spiders possess a distinctive appearance, characterised by a cylindrical body shape and trademark white or grey spots on their abdomen, which even the most inexperienced observers can quickly identify. These spiders serve as active hunters that help control other spider populations. During hot summer nights, it’s not unusual to observe white-tailed spiders wandering around homes in search of their eight-legged prey.
White-tailed spiders are distributed throughout Southern Australia. Being wandering predators, they are frequently observed on barks, rocks, leaf litter, logs, garden areas, and homes. They also tend to hide in bedding or clothing left on the floor.
How Dangerous are White-Tailed Spiders?
When bitten by white-tailed spiders, one may experience burning pain, swelling, and itchiness in the affected area. Occasionally, individuals may develop necrotising arachnidism, a medical condition resulting in weals, blistering, or localised ulceration.
White-Tailed Spider Bite
White-tailed spiders are hesitant to bite and only bite when provoked or threatened. If these spiders bite a person, the sensation is like a bee sting. Symptoms may include a burning sensation, mild swelling, itching, and a red mark in the bitten area.
Occasionally, a person may experience additional symptoms such as nausea or headaches. However, these symptoms typically disappear within a day. In rare cases, the person may experience a lesion in the affected area that may persist for up to 12 days.
Reacting to a White-Tailed Spider Bite
If a white-tailed spider bites you, you must clean the affected area with a disinfectant and apply a cold pack. Next, you must take a mild over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce pain and inflammation. Seeking medical attention is the next step to prevent further discomfort or pain.
Avoid Being Bitten by White-Tailed Spider
Even though white-tailed spiders are not considered to be dangerous, it is advisable to maintain distance from them. Below given tips can help you avoid being bitten by a white-tailed spider:
- Check your bedding periodically to confirm their absence
- Shake out any clothing left on the floor before wearing
- Keep your home tidy and free of spider webs, which may attract this species to your property.
Contact Us Today
Prompt action is necessary when it comes to spider infestations. For affordable and comprehensive spider removal services, speak to Tom’s Pest Control. Our team of experts provides diverse solutions for any infestation and employs state-of-the-art techniques to ensure the safe and effective removal of all spiders from your premises.
Our services not only involve the elimination of white-tailed spiders from your property but also include preventative measures to deter future infestation. Feel free to contact us to learn more about our services and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do White-Tailed Spiders Eat?
White-tailed spiders are active hunters and are known to have a varied diet. They primarily feed on other spiders, including redback and black house spiders, similar in size and habitat. These spiders also prefer eating insects, other arthropods, and even small lizards.
Are They Dangerous?
White-tailed spiders possess mild venom, which may cause minor skin irritation or a mild burning sensation. Therefore, even though these spiders are not considered dangerous to humans, it is recommended to seek medical assistance in case of a bite.
Do White-Tailed Spiders Build Webs?
White-tailed spiders do not construct webs since they are active hunters continuously searching for their prey. These creatures prefer to move rapidly from one location to another, leaving their hiding places at night to hunt other spiders.
White-tailed spiders prefer web-building spiders such as redbacks and black house spiders, and they will roam around various corners of your home in search of them. However, once they leave their hiding place, they do not return to it. When it is time for these pests to breed, the females construct a temporary silk retreat to lay their egg sacs. These retreats can accommodate up to 90 eggs at once.
