Spider

Print page
Spider - Bayer - Pest Control

Classification
Scientific name: Araneae

Description
Spiders are not insects and their species vary considerably in size. There are more than 35,000 species of spider, divided into 2 types of species:
  • Primitive Spiders = vertical fang orientation 
  • Modern Spiders = horizontal fang direction

Smaller spiders’ average length is 4-8mm. Males are smaller than females. Unlike insects, spiders only have 2 distinct body sections, the Cephalothorax, which is the head and thorax combined; it features fangs, pedipalps, multiple eyes and legs, and the abdomen which contains the spinnerets at the rear, which are sophisticated glands that spin the silken webs.

There are many spider species present all across Australia.

Most species prefer to live outdoors and feast on insects. Generally, spiders indoors are males hunting for females. Sometimes, spiders come inside for warmth if the temperature drops outside.

Behaviour
Most spiders are harmless and play an important role in controlling the insect population. Spiders emit silk, ejecting a liquid which turns to silk when it meets the air.

Autumn is breeding season. Female spiders plump up to attract a male. The spider’s mating ritual is complex. Males must avoid getting eaten by the female and start by creating a web bed to lay sperm. They pick up the sperm in pedipalps by the mouth and inseminate the female. Some males dazzle the female to stop her reacting aggressively.

Spiders use venom to paralyse their prey and eat at leisure. Some species venom is deadly.

Risks
Spiders are typically a nuisance rather than harmful. They reproduce quickly and create cobwebs in hard to reach areas.
Most species use their venom on invertebrates rather than humans. Unfortunately, some of the world’s most venomous, including the Funnel Web and Redback spiders, reside in Australia and bites can be fatal.

Despite this, most spiders are harmless and the bites cause localised pain, redness and swelling. Humans can have allergic reactions which includes feelings of nausea, dizziness and in extreme cases, necrosis.

Recommended products

Aqua K-Othrine Logo Envu Insecticide

Aqua K Othrine AU & NZ

Leading water-based space-spray technology for the control...

See product
Temprid 75 Logo Envu Insecticide

Temprid 75 AU & NZ

Suspension Concentrate

Temprid75 is a general insecticide that will control most...

See product
Cislin 25 Logo Envu Insecticide

Cislin 25 AU & NZ

Suspension Concentrate

Cislin 25 Professional Insecticide is a premium quality...

See product
Suspend Flexx Logo Envu Insecticide

Suspend Flexx AU

Suspension Concentrate

Suspend® Flexx is a new, innovative general insecticide...

See product

Other Problems

Hide and Larder Beetle - Bayer

Hide and Larder Beetle

Typically associated with materials with high protein...

Read more
book lice can damage food sources

Booklice

Detailed information on the pest including classification,...

Read more
Flea - Bayer Pest Control

Flea

Adult fleas live exclusively as parasites of warm blooded...

Read more
Carpet Beetle - Bayer Pest Control

Carpet Beetle

Including varied Carpet beetle, Furniture Carpet beetle,...

Read more
midge - biting flies

Midge - Biting flies

Midges (or "biting flies") are a group of insects that...

Read more
Tropical Warehouse Moth - Bayer

Tropical Warehouse Moth

Commonly also referred to as the Almond moth or Dried...

Read more
Case-making-clothes-moth

Case-Making Clothes Moth

They are typically 7–8 mm in length when the wings are...

Read more

Other Insects

Siverfish, Black Portuguese millipede, Banana Flower...

Read more
Portuguese Black Millipede - Bayer - Pest Management

Millipede

The Black Portuguese Millipede is an invasive pest species...

Read more
Tick

Ticks

There are over 850 species of tick. They are all...

Read more
Grain Weevil - Stored Product Pest - Bayer

Grain Weevil

Grain weevils do not fly but instead, infestations often...

Read more

Silverfish

Silverfish are nocturnal and secretive insects that are...

Read more