Sydney NSW Identification Guide
Venomous Spiders in Sydney NSW
Sydney is home to some of the world's most venomous spiders. Use this chart to identify common species, understand venom severity, and know when to call for professional spider treatment.
| Spider | Venom Severity | Appearance | Where You'll Find It | Bite & Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sydney Funnel-web Atrax robustus | Life-threatening | Glossy black, robust body 1–5 cm. Large fangs that strike downward. Males wander after rain, especially summer–autumn. | Burrows in moist, sheltered spots — rockeries, log piles, under houses, garden beds. Common across Sydney basin from the Hunter to the Illawarra and west to the Blue Mountains. | Highly venomous — neurotoxin (robustoxin) can cause symptoms within 10–30 minutes: sweating, muscle spasms, vomiting. Treat as a medical emergency. Antivenom available since 1981 — no deaths recorded since. |
Redback Spider Latrodectus hasselti | Severe | Female ~1 cm body, black with a distinctive red stripe on the back. Males are tiny and rarely bite. | Dry, sheltered locations — sheds, letterboxes, under outdoor furniture, garden pots, garages. Found in every Sydney suburb. | Latrotoxin venom — intense local pain, sweating, nausea. Symptoms can persist for hours to days. Antivenom available. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen. |
Mouse Spider Missulena spp. | Severe | Stocky black body, glossy head, 1–3 cm. Males may have a bright red head and blue fangs. | Burrows in suburban gardens, near waterways and bushland fringes across Sydney. | Venom similar to funnel-web — treat all bites as potentially serious. Funnel-web antivenom is effective. |
White-tailed Spider Lampona cylindrata / murina | Moderate | Slim grey-black body 1–2 cm with a distinctive white tip on the abdomen. | Indoors — bedding, towels, clothing left on the floor. Hunts other spiders. | Painful local reaction, redness and swelling. Skin necrosis claims are not supported by current research. No antivenom required. Apply cold pack, monitor for infection. |
Black House Spider Badumna insignis | Moderate | Dark grey to black, velvety, 1–1.5 cm. Females rarely leave the web. | Window frames, brickwork, eaves, gutters and tree bark. Builds messy lacework webs. | Painful bite, local swelling, sometimes nausea or sweating. Rarely serious. No antivenom. Symptoms usually settle within hours. |
Trapdoor Spider Misgolas / Arbanitis spp. | Mild | Brown to dark brown, hairy, 1.5–3 cm. Often mistaken for funnel-webs. | Burrows with silk-lined trapdoors in lawns and garden edges across Sydney. | Local pain and swelling. Not considered dangerous to humans. Not required. |
Garden Orb Weaver Eriophora / Hortophora spp. | Mild | Reddish-brown to grey, leaf-shaped abdomen, 2–3 cm legs spread. | Large vertical webs across pathways, gardens and between trees, mostly at night. | Mildly painful. Localised swelling only. Not required. |
Huntsman Spider Sparassidae family | Mild | Flat brown/grey body with long legs, span up to 15 cm. Fast moving. | Under bark, behind picture frames, in cars and homes. Doesn't build webs. | Generally harmless. Bite may cause local pain and minor swelling. Not required. |
First Aid for a Suspected Funnel-web Bite
- Call 000 immediately.
- Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage to the entire limb.
- Keep the patient still — movement spreads venom.
- Do not wash the bite — venom on skin helps identify the species.
Worried About Spiders at Home?
Jenkos Pest Control treats spider infestations across Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and the South Coast. Safe, family-friendly treatments with long-lasting protection.
Information provided as a general guide. Always seek immediate medical advice for any suspected venomous spider bite.