SPIDER CONTROL SYDNEY
Spiders - the eight legged arachnids often seen around Sydney houses and gardens. Many people happily deal with the presence of them, however others simply cannot tolerate them. Pestology provide a professional and friendly spider control service for the peace of mind for those of us with a fear of spiders, but also to remove severe or repeated spider problems.
Spiders
Across the world there are 35000 known species of spider. Of these there are over 2000 species in Australia ranging from harmless little beings to venomous creatures to avoid at all costs. Though some spiders are harmful, many are actually beneficial to the environment in their role as predators. Spiders have 4 pairs of legs and a body with two sections (the cephalothorax and the abdomen).
Some of the mode dangerous spiders which you may encounter are:
Sydney Funnelweb
The Sydney funnelweb is one of the most venomous spiders in the world. They are dark in colour, and are shiny in appearance. Males are around 25mm in size and females larger at around 30mm. Funnelweb spiders are very aggressive and can be found dwelling in moist dark conditions. Funnelwebs build a tubular burrow through litter or on the ground. They are most active during late summer and autumn.
Redback Spider
Redback spiders can be identified by the red markings on their bulbous black abdomen. Male redbacks are tiny - around 3 to 4mm in size, though females are much larger at 12-15mm. Redbacks can be found making loose webs in rubbish, under houses or in unsewered toilets. Redback spiders are also very toxic. Female redbacks tend to bite, but males do not.
Mouse spider
Mouse spiders are highly toxic and possess very strong fangs, which may produce a painful bite. Female mouse spiders live in holes in the ground (including a double door!). Adult males roam in search of females. They are often found near rivers and waterways. Unlike many other spiders, they are active during the daytime.
Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders are agile ground dwelling spiders, who you may find living in the garden in holes in the ground covered by litter. Wolf spiders are generally grey and brown in colour. Wolf spiders are not agressive, though some may be toxic, a bite may be painful for a while.
Spider Habits
Most spiders are nocturnal. During the day they're rarely seen unless their natural environment is disturbed as the sun sets, they become more and more active, leaving the protection of their shelter to search for food and in the case of web spinning spiders, construct webs to snare prey. As the sun starts to rise, most spiders retreat to the safety of their shelter.
Cannibalism is common amongst spiders. When food is in short supply spiders kill and eat one another. If you were to place two spiders in a container, you'd normally find one would kill the other. If a male and female of the same species are isolated together, the female will kill the male who puts up very little resistance.
Spiders are carnivorous and mostly feed on living or freshly killed insects. Ground dwelling spiders have been known to kill small lizards or other creatures. Some spiders are able to survive a great deal of time without food, particularly during the winter months.
Signs of a Spider Infestation
Spiders love to live in dark and secluded areas in both the home and the garden. If you are seeing many spiders around, then you’ve probably got a significant infestation.
Spiders are attracted to moist environments, such as basements, wall voids, shed and other damp locations.
The best thing you can do if you’ve found a severe spider infestation is to contact pestology straight away.
Look for webs – the size and shapes of spider webs can vary by species; some are a funnel shape, and some are an orb shape. Some species of spider create messy webs that trap insects in secluded spots.
Ground dwelling spiders often live in burrows rather than webs, while other roam and shelter in cracks and crevices which could be a clue to an infestation. Be careful not to disturb them if possible.
Spiders feed on other insects. If there are plenty of prey around such as ants, flies or wood lice then you are likely to find spiders around on the lookout for their next meal.
The presence of an egg sac around your property could lead to a spider infestation. Once they hatch hundreds of baby spiders could be making their way around your home.
CONTACT THE PROFESSIONALS
Call us today on 0402 693 559
Spider Control & Safety Tips
Many spiders you discover can simply be left alone. If you have a severe or repeated spider infestation in or around your premises, contact pestology immediately for expert advice and delivery of one of our professional spider control treatments.
To ensure your own safety and protect yourself from spider bites consider the following:
- Wear gloves when gardening and handling soil or waste
- Wear sensible footwear when walking outside, particularly at night when ground dwelling spiders are out and about
- Where extensive digging, landscaping or gardening has occurred in the area be alert for disturbed ground dwelling spiders who may enter buildings
- Don't leave toys, clothes or other articles on the ground overnight as wandering spiders may use them as a rest spot
- Be particularly alert for wandering male funnelwebs during the warmer months. January to March is their mating season, and they may appear around yards or buildings looking for a mate
- Be alert for wandering ground dwelling spiders following widespread application of insecticides. Where spiders may not have been directly contacted they may be disturbed and wander more than is normal
- Be alert for wandering ground dwelling spiders after long periods of very wet weather. Burrowing spiders have particular preferences for their habitat and they may wander more than usual
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Prevention Tips
There are a number of steps you can take in order to reduce the likelihood of a spider infestation in your home:
- Vacuum the house regularly, both the floor and behind cupboards or large furniture
- Remove spider webs around the house as part of your cleaning routine
- Fill any gaps and cracks around the house to prevent access
- Clear the home and garden of general clutter, especially outdoor areas close to the building such as compost heaps, wood storage spaces or rubbish heaps
- Clear the house of prey insects to avoid enticing spiders into the house
CONTACT THE PROFESSIONALS
Call us today on 0402 693 559
Spider Lifecycle
The lifecycle of a spider consists of three stages - egg, spiderling and adult.
Once fertilised, a female spider produces an egg sac, which varies in size and shape depending on species. The egg sac of all spiders consists of a mass of silken threads housing many eggs. In some species such as redbacks, the egg sac is round and made of hardened web material.
Some spiders carry the egg sac around with them to protect it until the eggs are ready to hatch, though others leave them near their habitat or in burrows. Flattened but circular egg sacs are often found where loose bark is dislodged from a tree or log.
The eggs hatch inside the egg sac and the young moult once before emerging. On emergence the young spiders are known as spiderlings, which are similar in appearance to the adults, though are much smaller.
In most cases, the young must obtain their own food. Some species disperse by a process known as balooning, whereby they send silken threads out into the breeze. When the length of this thread is long enough to catch an air current which can support their weight, the spiderling becomes airborne and is carried away. This avoids overpopulation and competition for food.
After successive moults, the spiderlings reach adult stage. Immediately after a moult the spider emerges much paler and softer than the previous stage. Later on, the spider will harden and darken in colour. Once at the adult stage, the spider can reproduce.
Spider Bites
Spiders do not intentionally harm people - they do not feed on us and are mainly not aggressive. Most of the time, spider bites occur as a defense mechanism, and most of the time do not result in any serious consequences. In general, symptoms include sharp pain at the site of the bite, profuse sweating, nausea and vomiting.
Funnelweb Bites
The Sydney funnelweb spider is the most dangerous spider in Australia. If bitten seek medical attention immediately symptoms of a funnelweb bite include:
- Pain and numbness at the area of the bite
- Profuse sweating and collapse
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frothing at the mouth due to excess salivation
- Patient turning blue in colour due to breathing difficulties
- Cramps and pain in the limbs and abdomen
- Patient may become delirious
- Twitching of facial muscles, contraction of limbs, sluggish reflexes
- Eyes not responsive to light
First aid treatment which can be applied in the event of a Sydney funnelweb bite:
- Remove tight clothing and make the patient comfortable
- Apply firm pressure to the area of the bite using a broad roller bandage. Cover the bite site, extend to the extremity of the limb and as high up the limb as possible. Keep movement to a minimum.
- Keep patient lying down and completely still until assistance arrives
- Warmth to the wound will produce pain. Avoid stimulants and oral liquid.
Redback Bites
The redback spider may be life-threatening to a child, but it is rarely serious for an adult. There are approximately 2000 recorded redback spider bites each year, and about 250 of the affected individuals receive anti-venom. No deaths due to redback spider bites have been recorded since the anti-venom was introduced in the 1950s. Symptoms include:
- Stinging sensation at bite site although no sign may be evident
- Swelling around bite and paleness; Pain and tenderness
- Stiffness around bite area
- Pain in lower limbs as venom is absorbed into the lymphatic system
- Patient displays shock symptoms: pallor, weakness, sweating, nausea, vomiting
- Possible paralysis of lower limbs
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Small hairs standing on end
- Headache
First aid treatment which can be applied in the event of a Sydney funnelweb bite:
- Remove tight clothing and make the patient comfortable
- Apply a cold pack to the bite area for 15 minutes, being careful not to freeze tissue. Reapply if required
- Seek prompt medical assistance
CONTACT THE PROFESSIONALS
Call us today on 0402 693 559
Pestology Are Here To Help With Your Spider Problem
If you are worried about a spider infestation around your premises, you should contact a pest control specialist for assistance.
Pestology are highly skilled experts in the control and treatment of spider infestations in the Sydney area. Our trained staff have extensive local knowledge and experience of the habits of the many species of spider you may encounter around Sydney. We can provide a professional, personally tailored treatment plan for the control of spiders in your property.
Pestology provide a full range of pest control services across Sydney. You can count on us to provide:
- Professional and friendly advice on how to deal with a spider problem
- Thorough inspection and assessment of your problem
- Effective comprehensive home pest treatment services
- Residential and commercial packages available
- Emergency call out service
We are passionate and serious about what we do. You can trust us to provide you a quality, proven bedbug extermination service in the Sydney area.
Our Promise To You
Any kind of pest infestation issue in your home is stressful, let alone having to deal with poor advice, ineffective or inappropriate treatments and the escalating costs these may cause you. We pride ourselves on being a customer focused, honest, family business. We will always provide you with the most approriate and cost effective services to meet your needs.
- Safe, family & pet friendly spider control services
- Pest treatment solutions in line with industry best practice & standards
- Friendly, honest advice, consultations and follow up services
- Guaranteed solution for your spider problems
- No hidden extras, no hidden charges