S02 · Spider
Redback Spider
Latrodectus hasselti
Highly venomous native. Loves dry, undisturbed spots like sheds, letterboxes and outdoor furniture.
- Size
- 10 mm (female)
- Habitat
- Dry, sheltered — sheds, eaves, BBQs
- Activity
- Spring to autumn
Safety Warning
Bite first aid: apply ice pack, keep the patient still, call 000 or Poisons Info on 13 11 26. Do NOT use a pressure bandage.
Overview
Only the female is dangerous — small, black, with the unmistakable red stripe on the back. Bites cause severe pain, sweating and nausea. Antivenom is available; no Australian has died from a confirmed redback bite since it was introduced in 1956. Webs are messy, tangled and sticky at the base where prey gets trapped.
How to identify
- Female: shiny black body ~10 mm with red/orange stripe on top of abdomen
- Male: tiny (3–4 mm), light brown — rarely bites
- Messy 'tangle web' with sticky trip-lines anchored to the ground
- Often found under outdoor furniture, in letterboxes, sheds, BBQs and garden pots
General guidance only. Information on Home Pest Defence is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. For termites, venomous spider bites, wasp nests in walls, or protected wildlife, contact a licensed pest controller, your GP, or the relevant state wildlife authority. In emergencies call 000; for poisoning call 13 11 26.