What Is Redback Spider?

Redback is a comb-footed spider species that is native to Australia. Female redbacks are venomous, which makes their bite dangerous. However, male redbacks are small and harmless.

Female redbacks can store sperms after mating and use them for up to two years to lay multiple egg batches. Also, they live longer, for about two to three years, compared to males, who have a short lifespan of six to seven months.

Redbacks are brownish or black and have a reddish orange marking on the back. This marking is in the shape of an hourglass. Many times, male redbacks have white markings on their upper abdomen.

The size of male and female redbacks is different. Females measure about one cm long, whereas males measure three to four mm long. Moreover, males have a shorter lifespan in comparison to females.

These creatures can be found where there is enough food supply and are warm enough for breeding. Since they like to build webs in sheltered spaces, they are primarily found in the place where humans live.

Therefore, they are frequently spotted in disturbed and urban areas linked to human habitation. Moreover, these creatures like to have a sedentary life, which means they remain in one place for long.

Redback Spider Bite

The bite of a female redback spider may cause death, especially in small children. Hence, it is essential to treat their bite with the utmost caution.

The person bitten by a redback may experience intense localised pain along with swelling and excessive sweating. Sometimes, people also experience headaches, nausea and vomiting, which may trigger an hour after the bite.

Reacting to a Redback Bite

It is essential to stay calm and not panic if a redback has bitten you. First, you must apply an ice pack or anything cold to reduce pain and swelling. The next step is to rush to a hospital for medical aid. If the need is, you will be administered anti-venene. Refrain from using a tourniquet or restrictive bandage on the area of the bite.

Redback Spiders and Pets

The redbacks’ venom contains α-latrotoxin, which is known to affect the nervous system and muscles of pets. However, in most cases, these bites are dry bites, meaning no venom is injected into your pet’s body.

However, it may be life-threatening if the bite injects venom into your pet’s body. Signs that show the poison has entered your pet’s body include vomiting, diarrhoea, severe pain, and restlessness. The pain may increase over time, and your pet may also experience muscular cramping, an increase in heart rate, and high blood pressure.

What to Do if You Find a Redback?

Redbacks are generally non-aggressive and do not attack humans until they feel threatened or provoked. Therefore, if you find a redback on your property, it is best to leave it alone to avoid being attacked by them.

Next, you must call our pest control professionals to come to your property to manage this pest infestation issue. We know how to handle these creatures, so we will implement effective treatment plans to safely remove them from your home.

Contact Us Today

If you have spotted a redback web in your home and are worried about the safety of your kids and pets, call us now for spider control.

FAQs

What Do Redbacks Eat?

Redbacks like to eat insects, lizards, and other small animals that get caught in their webs. The size of their prey doesn’t intimidate them, which means no matter which insect gets trapped in their web, they will attempt to eat it.

In Which Areas Do Redbacks Hide?

Redbacks like to build their webs in dry, sheltered spots. However, spotting their webs may be challenging as they differ from the classic spider webs. Redback webs resemble an untidy fishing net and may have leaves or debris in them.

There are chances of you spotting redbacks or their webs in sheds and pergolas, below your outdoor furniture, along the fencing, inside the tubular fencing, below rocks or stored goods, in the subfloor, and the roof void.

How Dangerous Are Redback Bites?

The bite from a redback can make humans seriously ill. They are more dangerous to young children and the elderly with heart conditions. Their poisoning bites can cause symptoms like nausea, severe pain, and intense sweating. Fortunately, the redback does not bite humans unless they are disturbed.