Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

Hyacinthe · 10-29-2007, 01:24 AM

Not knowing your location makes it more difficult to say if it's a black widow or a different member of the Theridiidae family. This includes the common Australian Redback spider so my advice is based on that specific species (Latrodectus hasselti to be exact)

Redbacks are common in urban habitats such as garden sheds, under steps or logs and around swimming pools or piles of rubbish. They build webs in dry, sheltered sites, often with the upper part of the web hidden from sunlight. The spider hides in a funnel-shaped retreat at the top of the web. The lower part of the web consists of a forest of mostly vertical, sticky catching threads.

An effective way of controlling Redbacks is to carry out regular inspections of suitable Redback habitats, searching for spiders and their webs. The spiders may be removed by pushing a stick into the back of the web and twisting the web, spider and any egg sacs around it. If all the webs on a property are removed, new arrivals will quickly become apparent by the presence of new webs.

Surface sprays applied directly will kill Redback Spiders. However treatment must be repeated often to deal with spiders which are carried in on the wind. Such insecticides will also affect many non-target species.

Personally we don't worry about removing them, the bite for the majority of the Theriididae family is not deadly. If you have small children, pets or a pregnant woman on the property it's a different issue ofcourse.

Only precautions we take are to check any potential web sites before putting your hands there oh and to wear gloves when gardening. Realistically it's impossible to live anywhere in Australia without having to deal with spiders and certain species of snake. Snakes are far more dangerous though, atleast here.

10-29-2007, 01:24 AM	#25 (permalink)
Hyacinthe Psycho Location: Australia	Not knowing your location makes it more difficult to say if it's a black widow or a different member of the Theridiidae family. This includes the common Australian Redback spider so my advice is based on that specific species (Latrodectus hasselti to be exact) Redbacks are common in urban habitats such as garden sheds, under steps or logs and around swimming pools or piles of rubbish. They build webs in dry, sheltered sites, often with the upper part of the web hidden from sunlight. The spider hides in a funnel-shaped retreat at the top of the web. The lower part of the web consists of a forest of mostly vertical, sticky catching threads. An effective way of controlling Redbacks is to carry out regular inspections of suitable Redback habitats, searching for spiders and their webs. The spiders may be removed by pushing a stick into the back of the web and twisting the web, spider and any egg sacs around it. If all the webs on a property are removed, new arrivals will quickly become apparent by the presence of new webs. Surface sprays applied directly will kill Redback Spiders. However treatment must be repeated often to deal with spiders which are carried in on the wind. Such insecticides will also affect many non-target species. Personally we don't worry about removing them, the bite for the majority of the Theriididae family is not deadly. If you have small children, pets or a pregnant woman on the property it's a different issue ofcourse. Only precautions we take are to check any potential web sites before putting your hands there oh and to wear gloves when gardening. Realistically it's impossible to live anywhere in Australia without having to deal with spiders and certain species of snake. Snakes are far more dangerous though, atleast here. __________________ "I want to be remembered as the girl who always smiles even when her heart is broken... and the one that could brighten up your day even if she couldnt brighten her own" "Her emotions were clear waters. You could see the scarring and pockmarks at the bottom of the pool, but it was just a part of her landscape – the consequences of others’ actions in which she claimed no part." Last edited by Hyacinthe; 10-29-2007 at 01:41 AM..