Phylum : Arthropoda Class : Arachnida

Most people will have some reaction to the mere mention of the word, ranging from simple interest to complete abhorrence. Yet these strange creatures play a most important role as predators of noxious insects. The vast majority of spiders are not dangerous to man, and help prevent the insect world from reaching plague proportions.

Arachnids, have 8 jointed legs(insects have 6), and their bodies are divided into 2 sections: cephalothorax and abdomen. The cephalothorax is a fused head and thorax region. Palps are located in the front, and are larger in the male. The abdomen of the female is swollen. The male is generally smaller than the female. Many arachnids are nocturnal, are carnivorous, and are cannibalistic. Spiders render their prey immobile by injecting it with venom by means of their fangs. Production of silk or web is characteristic of spiders and is used for catching prey, egg cases, dispersal of newly emerged spiderlings.

The venom of some arachnids is not necessarily poisonous to warm blooded animals however, some are very toxic and potentially lethal.


Avoidance of Bites
1. Clear away undergrowth and backyard rubbish in the winter months.
2. Wear gloves and shoes when gardening.
3. Don’t leave clothes or children’s toys on the ground overnight, especially in summer when wandering spiders may use them as shelter.
4. Educate children that non aggressive spiders will not go out of their way to bite, but all have a venom to catch prey, and should be treated with care.
5. Be aware that male funnelwebs roam during the warmer months of January - March.
6. Take care when diving into backyard swimming pools as funnelwebs can remain alive underwater for a long time.

Control

The key to our approach is that we use the safest products available which will control a specific pest problem. We use a range of Synthetic Pyrethroids - Permethrin & Deltamethrin."Blanket spraying" with toxic products for ground dwelling spiders is ineffective and environmentally incorrect. If there is a problem with ground dwelling spiders, Austrapest technicians identify the particular pest problem and treat with direct contact of spiders and their nests sites.

Visit our office @ Concord West for a better look at our samples of spiders and to have your spiders identified.
Mygalomorphs - the Primative Spiders
         
Funnel Web Trapdoor Mouse spider        

Araneomorphs - the Modern spiders

Open range hunters

         
White tailed Wolf Spider Huntsman        

Araneomorphs - the Modern spiders

Ambushers and anglers

           
Net casting spiders            

Araneomorphs - the Modern spiders

Apprentice weavers

         
Red back Black House Spider          

Araneomorphs - the Modern spiders

Master Weavers

         
Orb Weaver   Saint Andrews Cross        

 
First Aid: call 13 11 26 and if possible capture the spider for identification.

"Over 20 years of Excellence in Pest Management"