Funnel-Web Spider Identification Melbourne
Identify funnel-web spiders — dangerous ground-dwelling spiders occasionally found in Melbourne.
Funnel-Web Spider in Melbourne — Quick Answer
Funnel-web spiders are occasionally found in Melbourne, particularly in outer eastern and Dandenong Ranges suburbs. They are stocky, glossy black spiders measuring 25–35 mm with prominent spinnerets and powerful fangs. Melbourne's funnel-web species are less dangerous than Sydney's, but all funnel-web bites should be treated as medical emergencies. T47 Pest Control provides professional identification and safe removal of funnel-web spiders from Melbourne properties.
How to Identify Funnel-Web Spider
Size
25–35 mm body length; stocky build
Colour
Glossy black to dark brown; hairless, shiny carapace; prominent spinnerets
Behaviour
Aggressive when threatened; rears up and displays fangs; builds ground burrows with trip lines; males wander in warmer months
Habitat
Moist, shaded ground — garden rockeries, retaining walls, under logs, in burrows with silk-lined entrances
Look-Alikes & Confusion Notes
Sometimes confused with black house spiders or trapdoor spiders. Funnel-webs are stockier, have a glossy (not velvety) body, and build ground-level burrows with radiating trip lines rather than elevated webs or hinged doors.
Risk & Urgency
Very high. All funnel-web spider bites should be treated as medical emergencies. Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage and call 000 immediately. Melbourne species are less toxic than Sydney funnel-webs, but professional identification is essential.
Where Found in Melbourne
Funnel-web spiders are found in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs, the Dandenong Ranges, and Yarra Valley areas. They prefer moist, shaded gardens with heavy ground cover. Inner-city encounters are rare but increasing as suburbs expand.
What to Do Now
Do not attempt to handle or kill funnel-web spiders. Keep children and pets away. If found indoors, trap under a glass container and contact T47 Pest Control for safe identification and removal. If bitten, apply pressure bandage and call 000.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are funnel-web spiders found in Melbourne?
- Yes, though less commonly than in Sydney. Melbourne's funnel-web species are primarily found in the Dandenong Ranges, outer eastern suburbs, and forested areas. They prefer moist, shaded habitats with heavy ground cover.
- What should I do if I find a funnel-web spider?
- Do not touch or handle the spider. Place a glass container over it if it's indoors. Keep children and pets away. Contact T47 Pest Control for safe identification and removal, or your local council if you want to submit it for identification.
- What is the first aid for a funnel-web spider bite?
- Call 000 immediately. Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage starting from the bite site and wrapping the entire limb. Keep the patient still and calm. Do not wash the bite area — venom traces help with identification. Antivenom is available at hospitals.