Redback Spider Identification Melbourne
Identify redback spiders — Melbourne's most medically significant spider.
Redback Spider in Melbourne — Quick Answer
The redback spider is Melbourne's most medically significant spider, responsible for the majority of serious spider bites in Australia. Females are 10–15 mm with a glossy black body and a distinctive red or orange stripe on the upper abdomen. They build messy webs in sheltered locations like sheds, letterboxes, and under outdoor furniture. T47 Pest Control provides thorough redback spider treatments targeting web sites and harbourage areas around Melbourne properties.
How to Identify Redback Spider
Size
Female 10–15 mm body; male 3–4 mm body
Colour
Glossy black with red or orange dorsal stripe (female); smaller and brown with lighter markings (male)
Behaviour
Not aggressive but will bite if disturbed; web-bound; females eat males; nocturnal hunting
Habitat
Under outdoor furniture, in sheds, letterboxes, meter boxes, garden rockeries, retaining walls
Look-Alikes & Confusion Notes
Juvenile redbacks may lack the full red stripe and can be confused with cupboard spiders or brown house spiders. The red stripe distinguishes adults, but always exercise caution with small, dark spiders in typical redback locations.
Risk & Urgency
Very high. Redback spider bites cause significant pain and systemic symptoms including nausea, sweating, and muscle weakness. Antivenom is available. Seek medical attention for any suspected redback bite. Professional spider control reduces risk.
Where Found in Melbourne
Redbacks are found across all Melbourne suburbs, particularly in human-modified environments. They favour dry, sheltered spots — under pot plants, in garages, around BBQ areas, and in rarely disturbed corners of sheds and outbuildings.
What to Do Now
Wear gloves when reaching into sheltered outdoor areas, shake out shoes stored in garages, and regularly clean under outdoor furniture. T47 Pest Control applies targeted sprays to web sites and harbourage zones to reduce redback populations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I do if bitten by a redback spider?
- Apply ice to the bite area for pain relief, do not apply a pressure bandage (unlike snake bites), and seek medical attention. Redback antivenom is available at hospitals. Keep the patient calm and still until medical help arrives.
- Where do redback spiders hide?
- Redbacks prefer dry, sheltered locations: under outdoor furniture, inside letterboxes, beneath pot plants, in meter boxes, behind stored items in sheds, and in garden rockeries. They are rarely found inside well-maintained homes.
- How common are redback spiders in Melbourne?
- Very common. Redbacks are found in virtually every Melbourne suburb. Any property with outdoor sheltered areas will likely have redbacks present. Regular professional treatment significantly reduces their numbers.