Spiders

Perth's warm climate, proximity to bushland and growing suburban developments make it a prime habitat for a variety of spider species.

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Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasselti)​

Habitat: Sheds, outdoor furniture, under steps, meter boxes, and inside unused items.

Behaviour: Web-building; females rarely move from their webs.

Risks: Highly venomous, bites can cause severe pain, sweating, nausea, and other systemic effects. Medical attention may be needed.​

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White-tailed Spider (Lampona cylindrata)

​​​Habitat: Indoors, especially in bedding, clothes, towels, and corners.

Behaviour: Hunts other spiders at night; hides during the day.

Risks: Bites can cause localized pain, redness, and sometimes ulceration. Commonly feared due to past media attention, though serious complications are rare.

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Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda spp.)

​​Habitat: Inside homes (behind curtains, furniture), garages, cars, or under bark outside.

Behaviour: Fast-moving and non-aggressive; known for startling people.

Risks: Low risk, bites are rare and not medically significant. Beneficial for controlling other pests.

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Wolf Spider (Lycosa spp.)

​​Habitat: Gardens, under rocks, leaf litter, and occasionally indoors.

Behaviour: Solitary hunters that do not build webs.

Risks: Moderately venomous, bite causes local pain and swelling but is not life-threatening.

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Black House Spider (Badumna insignis)​

Habitat: Corners of windows, eaves, sheds, and tree trunks.

Behaviour: Builds messy, funnel-shaped webs; rarely leaves the web.

Risks: Bite may cause local pain, swelling, and nausea in rare cases; not considered dangerous.

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Daddy Long Legs (Pholcus phalangioides)

​​Habitat: Common inside homes, especially in corners and ceilings.

Behaviour: Builds loose, irregular webs.

Risks: Completely harmless to humans; useful in controlling other spider populations.

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