Spiders are a common part of life in Australia, but that does not mean you want them living around your home or business. Seeing one spider now and then is normal, especially near gardens, sheds, garages, outdoor furniture, and storage areas. However, if webs keep coming back, spiders are appearing inside bedrooms, or redbacks are showing up around outdoor spaces, it may be time to take a closer look.
Most spiders are not looking for people. They usually want shelter, insects to feed on, and quiet places where they are not disturbed. Still, some spiders can become a concern when they settle too close to children, pets, outdoor seating areas, bedrooms, businesses, or rental properties.
In this guide, we explain 12 common spiders found around Australian homes and businesses, how to identify them, where they are usually found, and what you can do to reduce spider activity around your property.
If spiders keep appearing around your home, garden, shed, garage, or business, The Local Guys Pest Control can help with professional spider control services in Australia.
Why Spiders Are Common Around Australian Homes
Spiders usually look for three things. They want shelter, food, and a quiet place to hide. Around a home or business, this can include roof voids, garages, sheds, window frames, eaves, outdoor furniture, garden beds, retaining walls, wood piles, storage boxes, and dark corners.
Spiders also follow food sources. If there are flies, mosquitoes, moths, cockroaches, ants, or other insects around the property, spiders may settle nearby because they have something to feed on. If you are noticing more than one pest issue, you may also find our guides on common types of ants in Australia and cockroach infestation signs and prevention helpful.
Spider activity can also change with the weather. Warm conditions, rain, garden growth, and seasonal breeding cycles can all lead to more spider sightings around Australian properties.
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1. Redback Spider
Redback spiders are one of the most recognised spiders in Australia. They are commonly found in dry, sheltered areas around homes, sheds, garages, and outdoor spaces.
How to identify a redback spider
Female redbacks are usually small and black, with a clear red or orange marking on the upper side of the abdomen. Some may also have markings underneath the abdomen. Male redbacks are much smaller and are not noticed as often.
Where redback spiders are commonly found
Redbacks often build messy, tangled webs in places that do not get disturbed often. You may find them around outdoor furniture, sheds, garages, letterboxes, pot plants, children’s toys left outside, BBQ areas, bins, stored items, fence lines, and retaining walls.
What to do if you find redback spiders
Do not touch the spider or the web. Wear gloves when moving outdoor furniture, garden items, storage boxes, or anything that has been sitting outside for a while. If you are finding several redbacks around your property, it is best to book a professional inspection and treatment.
2. Huntsman Spider
Huntsman spiders are large, fast moving spiders that often appear on walls, ceilings, curtains, tree trunks, and even inside cars. Their size can be alarming, but they usually try to hide or escape rather than move towards people.
How to identify a huntsman spider
Huntsman spiders have long legs that spread out sideways, giving them a flat appearance. They are often brown, grey, or mottled in colour, which helps them blend into bark, walls, and outdoor surfaces.
Where huntsman spiders are commonly found
Huntsman spiders may appear in bedrooms, living rooms, behind curtains, garages, sheds, cars, roof spaces, outdoor walls, and around trees.
What to do if you find huntsman spiders
If you are comfortable doing so, a single huntsman can often be moved outside using a container and a piece of cardboard. If you are seeing them inside regularly, there may be gaps around the property, insect activity, or outdoor hiding spots that need attention.
3. White Tailed Spider
White tailed spiders are often found indoors, especially in bedrooms, bathrooms, laundries, clothing, towels, and storage areas. They are hunting spiders, so they move around looking for prey rather than staying in one web.
How to identify a white tailed spider
White tailed spiders are usually dark grey or black with a pale mark near the end of the abdomen. They have a long, narrow body and are often seen moving across floors, walls, bedding, or clothing.
Where white tailed spiders are commonly found
They may be found in bedrooms, bathrooms, laundries, linen cupboards, clothing piles, shoes, towels, under furniture, and inside storage boxes.
What to do if you find white tailed spiders
Shake out clothing, towels, and shoes that have been left on the floor. Keep bedrooms and laundries tidy, reduce clutter, vacuum regularly, and seal gaps where possible. If sightings continue, professional treatment may help reduce the spiders and the insects they are feeding on.
4. Funnel Web Spider
Funnel web spiders should always be treated with caution. They are most commonly associated with eastern Australia and are often found in moist, sheltered areas.
How to identify a funnel web spider
Funnel web spiders are usually dark brown to black, with a glossy front section and a solid body. They are often found close to the ground. Because some funnel web spiders can look similar to other dark spiders, it is not safe to handle or closely inspect one yourself.
Where funnel web spiders are commonly found
Funnel web spiders may be found in burrows, damp garden beds, under rocks, under logs, near retaining walls, around pool areas, inside shoes left outside, and in ground level storage areas.
What to do if you suspect a funnel web spider
Do not touch it. Keep children and pets away from the area. If someone is bitten by a spider that may be a funnel web, treat it as a medical emergency and call 000 straight away.
5. Black House Spider
Black house spiders are common around windows, walls, eaves, and outdoor structures. They often build strong, messy webbing in places where insects are likely to pass by.
How to identify a black house spider
Black house spiders are usually dark brown to black, with a compact body. Their webs can look dense, messy, and built around a small hiding place.
Where black house spiders are commonly found
They are often found around window frames, door frames, eaves, wall cracks, brickwork, outdoor lights, sheds, garages, and fences.
What to do if you find black house spiders
Remove old webs, reduce insect activity around lights where possible, and seal gaps around windows and doors. If the webs keep coming back, professional spider treatment may be needed around exterior surfaces and common hiding areas.
4. Daddy Long Legs Spider
Daddy long legs spiders are commonly found inside homes, garages, laundries, bathrooms, and storage areas. They are usually seen in corners, ceilings, wardrobes, and other quiet areas.
How to identify daddy long legs spiders
They have very long, thin legs and a small body. Their webs are usually loose, light, and untidy.
Where daddy long legs spiders are commonly found
They are often found in ceiling corners, bathrooms, laundries, garages, cupboards, under stairs, and storage rooms.
What to do if you find daddy long legs spiders
Regular vacuuming, web removal, and reducing clutter can help. If you are seeing a lot of them, it may be a sign that there are other insects around the property.
7. Garden Orb Weaving Spider
Garden orb weaving spiders are common outdoors and are often noticed because of their large circular webs. They are usually more active at night.
How to identify garden orb weaving spiders
They often have a rounded abdomen and can vary in colour. Some are brown or grey, while others may have orange or patterned markings. Their webs are usually large, circular, and built between plants, trees, fences, and outdoor structures.
Where garden orb weaving spiders are commonly found
They are often seen around gardens, pathways, clotheslines, fences, outdoor lights, trees, shrubs, decks, and pergolas.
What to do if you find garden orb weaving spiders
Avoid walking through webs and clear webs from pathways when needed. Keep garden growth trimmed away from doors, windows, outdoor seating areas, and walkways.
8. Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders are ground dwelling spiders that do not build the same type of web that many people expect. They actively hunt for insects and are often seen moving across lawns, garden beds, paths, garages, and outdoor areas.
How to identify a wolf spider
Wolf spiders are usually brown, grey, or patterned, which helps them blend into soil, mulch, and garden surfaces. They often have a sturdy body and quick movement.
Where wolf spiders are commonly found
They may be found in lawns, garden beds, under leaves, around pavers, near sheds, inside garages, and around outdoor storage areas.
What to do if you find wolf spiders
Avoid handling them. Keep outdoor areas tidy, reduce clutter near the ground, and wear gloves when gardening. If you are seeing them often inside garages or near entry points, check for gaps and reduce insect activity around the property.
9. Jumping Spider
Jumping spiders are small, active spiders that are often seen on walls, windows, fences, plants, and outdoor surfaces. They are usually noticed because of their quick, short movements.
How to identify a jumping spider
Jumping spiders are usually small and compact, with strong front legs and noticeable eyes. They may be black, brown, grey, or patterned depending on the species.
Where jumping spiders are commonly found
They are often found around windows, walls, fences, plants, garden areas, outdoor furniture, and sunny surfaces.
What to do if you find jumping spiders
Jumping spiders are usually not a major concern around homes. Regular cleaning, web removal, trimming plants away from the house, and reducing insects can help keep activity lower.
10. St Andrew’s Cross Spider
St Andrew’s Cross spiders are commonly found in gardens. They are known for sitting in the centre of their web with their legs arranged in pairs, which can create a cross like shape.
How to identify a St Andrew’s Cross spider
These spiders often have a patterned body and sit in a web that may include a visible zigzag silk pattern. Their appearance can vary, but their web position makes them easier to recognise.
Where St Andrew’s Cross spiders are commonly found
They are often found in garden beds, shrubs, hedges, between plants, and around outdoor areas with insect activity.
What to do if you find St Andrew’s Cross spiders
Avoid disturbing the web if it is not in the way. If webs are appearing near walkways, doors, or outdoor seating areas, clear them carefully and trim nearby vegetation.
11. Mouse Spider
Mouse spiders are less commonly seen than many household spiders, but they are important to recognise because they can be mistaken for funnel web spiders. They are usually found in burrows and ground level areas.
How to identify a mouse spider
Mouse spiders are often dark and solid looking. Some males may have brighter markings, depending on the species. Because they can look similar to other serious spiders, avoid handling them.
Where mouse spiders are commonly found
They may be found in burrows, garden beds, under logs, near rocks, in soil, and around outdoor areas.
What to do if you suspect a mouse spider
Do not touch it. Keep children and pets away. If someone is bitten and you are unsure what type of spider it was, seek medical advice straight away. For severe symptoms or suspected serious bites, call 000.
12. Trapdoor Spider
Trapdoor spiders are ground dwelling spiders that live in burrows. They are not usually seen indoors, but they may be noticed in gardens, lawns, or outdoor areas after rain or when males wander.
How to identify a trapdoor spider
Trapdoor spiders often have a strong body and dark colouring. They can look similar to other ground dwelling spiders, so it is best not to handle them.
Where trapdoor spiders are commonly found
They may be found in soil, lawns, garden beds, around tree roots, under rocks, and near burrow openings.
What to do if you find trapdoor spiders
Avoid disturbing burrows. Wear gloves when gardening and take care when moving rocks, logs, or soil. If you are not sure what type of spider you have found, contact a professional for advice.
Found your spider, or still not sure which one it is?
Some Australian spiders - like redbacks, funnel-webs, and mouse spiders - are worth having checked by a professional rather than guessed at.
Why You May Be Seeing More Spiders
Seeing one spider does not always mean there is a bigger problem. However, regular spider sightings can be a sign that your property has the right conditions for them to stay.
Common reasons include:
- There are plenty of insects for spiders to feed on
- Storage areas are cluttered
- Gardens are overgrown
- Gaps around doors and windows are allowing spiders inside
- Outdoor lights are attracting insects
- Webs are not being removed regularly
- Damp or sheltered areas are creating hiding places
- Stored items are sitting against walls or fences
- Cracks in brickwork, paving, or retaining walls are giving spiders somewhere to hide
If you are seeing other indoor pests as well, it may help to read our guides on signs of a flea infestation and how to deal with a carpet beetle infestation.
How to Reduce Spiders Around Your Property
There are a few practical steps you can take to make your home or business less attractive to spiders.
- Remove visible webs regularly
- Vacuum corners, skirting boards, wardrobes, and under furniture
- Keep outdoor areas tidy
- Store boxes and items off the floor where possible
- Wear gloves when gardening or moving stored items
- Shake out shoes, towels, and clothing left outside or on the floor
- Trim plants and shrubs away from walls, doors, and windows
- Reduce insects around outdoor lights
- Seal gaps around doors, windows, pipes, and vents
- Avoid leaving toys, shoes, and clothing outside overnight
- Keep bins clean and away from entry points
These steps can help reduce spider activity, but ongoing spider problems may need professional treatment.
Spider Activity Can Vary by City
Spider activity can look different from one city to another. Weather, moisture, gardens, building age, nearby bushland, and insect activity can all affect the types of spiders people see around their properties.
Homes in Adelaide may notice spider activity around dry garden areas, sheds, outdoor furniture, and storage spaces. If this sounds familiar, our team can help with spider problems around Adelaide homes.
In Melbourne, changing weather and built up suburban areas can create plenty of places for spiders to hide. If webs keep returning or spiders are showing up inside, we can assist with spider issues across Melbourne properties.
In Brisbane, warmer conditions and garden growth can contribute to regular spider activity around homes and businesses. For local support, you can learn more about help for Brisbane homes and businesses.
When Should You Call Pest Control for Spiders?
You should consider professional spider control if you are seeing spiders regularly inside the home, webs are coming back soon after cleaning, or redbacks are appearing around outdoor furniture, toys, sheds, or play areas.
It is also worth getting help if spiders are appearing in bedrooms, clothing, bedding, garages, storage areas, or business premises. If you are unsure what type of spider you are dealing with, it is safer to have the area inspected.
The Local Guys Pest Control can inspect your property, identify likely spider hiding spots, treat common activity areas, and provide practical advice to help reduce future spider problems.
Our Spider Control Process
Every property is different, so spider treatment should be based on the layout of the property, the level of spider activity, and the areas where spiders are most likely to hide.
1. Inspection
We check common spider areas such as eaves, windows, doors, outdoor furniture, sheds, garages, fences, gardens, storage areas, and quiet zones.
2. Identification
Where possible, we identify the spider activity and look for reasons spiders may be staying around the property. This may include insect activity, clutter, vegetation, gaps, moisture, and outdoor hiding places.
3. Treatment
A technician may treat areas where spiders are active or likely to hide. This can include external walls, eaves, entry points, garages, sheds, fences, and other suitable areas depending on the property.
4. Prevention Advice
After treatment, we can recommend practical ways to reduce future spider activity. This may include web removal, garden maintenance, better storage habits, reducing insects, and sealing entry points.
Spider Bite First Aid: What to Know
If someone is bitten by a spider and you are not sure what type of spider it was, seek medical advice. If the person has serious symptoms or you suspect a funnel web or mouse spider bite, call 000 immediately.
General safety advice includes:
- Do not try to catch or handle a spider with your bare hands
- Keep the person calm if a serious bite is suspected
- Call 000 for suspected funnel web bites, suspected mouse spider bites, or severe symptoms
- Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice
- Follow medical guidance, especially for children, elderly people, or anyone with strong symptoms
Had a spider bite, or seeing spiders regularly indoors?
If bites keep happening or spiders keep coming back, the source is usually still on the property. Get it found and treated properly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spiders in Australia
How many spider species are there in Australia?
Australia has thousands of spider species, but most people only see a smaller group around homes, gardens, sheds, garages, and businesses. The spiders listed in this guide are among the types people are more likely to notice around Australian properties.
Are most Australian spiders dangerous?
Most spiders found around Australian homes are not dangerous to humans. However, some spiders, such as funnel web spiders, mouse spiders, and redback spiders, should be treated with caution.
What attracts spiders to my home?
Spiders are usually attracted by shelter, insects, clutter, outdoor lighting, garden growth, and quiet hiding places. Reducing insects and removing hiding areas can help.
Should I remove spider webs?
Yes. Removing webs regularly can make areas less attractive to spiders. It also helps you see whether spider activity is continuing after cleaning.
How do I stop spiders coming inside?
Seal gaps, install door seals, repair flyscreens, reduce clutter, vacuum regularly, and trim vegetation away from the home. Outdoor pest control may also help reduce spider activity around entry points.
Do I need pest control if I only see one spider?
Not always. One spider may simply have wandered inside. However, regular sightings, recurring webs, redbacks, or spiders in bedrooms and clothing areas may point to a bigger issue.
Is spider pest control suitable for businesses?
Yes. Spider control can be useful for offices, shops, warehouses, childcare centres, rental properties, hospitality venues, and other commercial spaces where spider activity can affect comfort, safety, and presentation.
How often should spider control be done?
This depends on the property, location, season, and level of spider activity. Some properties may benefit from regular pest control as part of a broader prevention plan. To understand general treatment costs, read our guide to pest control prices.
Need Help With Spiders Around Your Property?
If spiders keep appearing around your home, garden, shed, garage, or business, The Local Guys Pest Control can help.
Our local technicians can inspect the property, identify likely spider hiding areas, provide treatment options, and share practical prevention advice.
Book professional spider control services in Australia with The Local Guys Pest Control today.
