Common Spiders Found in Melbourne and Victoria
There are many varieties of spiders in Australia, all of which thrive in different conditions. Some spider varieties that are commonly found inside homes have adapted to the conditions indoors and can live in a less humid atmosphere and with less food consistently available, and some can even survive for months on end without food or water! Spiders that live outdoors prefer warm and damp surroundings, in which insects are their preferred source of food.
Can You Call Pest Control for Spiders?
If you are noticing an uncontrollable amount of spiders near you in your home, get in touch with us. We can answer any questions you may have about spider pest control in Melbourne or arrange a treatment suited to your situation.
At Dawson’s Australia, we provide professional spider removal and spider control in Melbourne, Geelong & Mornington Peninsula.
Red-Back Spider
Female up to 14mm,
Male up to 3mm.
Risk Level: High
Locality: Common in warmer parts of Australia
This spider has a pea-shaped abdomen with a characteristic red or orange stripe. Red-Backs build webs in and around your home, throughout rubbish, around pot plants, outdoor furniture and logs.
Call Dawson’s spider control if you spot multiple Redback spiders around entryways or outdoor living areas, see them near kids’ play spaces or pet areas, or if anyone in the home is bitten or at higher risk (such as children, elderly, or pregnant people).
White Tail Spider
Female to 20mm,
Male to 12mm.
Risk Level: Moderate
Locality: Frequently encountered inside houses
A dull, dark grey with a characteristic white spot on the end of the abdomen. Usually encountered inside houses, sheltering from the weather, or introduced on clothing brought in from the clothesline. Bites are very common due to this spider’s habits.
Call professional spider control if you’re frequently seeing White‑tail spiders inside, finding them in bedding or clothing, or if bites are occurring or there’s concern about reactions in children or vulnerable family members.
Black House Spider
Female up to 18mm,
Male up to 9mm.
Risk level: Low to moderate
Locality: Common around buildings across south‑eastern Australia
A dark brown to grey/black robust spider with some body markings. They build webs in the cavities of your home or in dark corners of windows, verandas, sheds or fences.
Call Dawson’s professional spider control if you notice multiple Black House spiders and dense webs around windows, door frames, verandas or sheds, or if their webs are becoming hard to safely remove yourself.
Huntsman Spider
Female up to 45mm.
Risk level: Low
Locality: Widespread across Australia
The Huntsman is mostly grey to brown with large, long legs. They are often found around homes and gardens in search of prey.
Call Dawson’s professional spider control if Huntsman spiders are appearing frequently inside, causing distress to anyone in the home, or are found in bedrooms, vehicle interiors, or hard‑to‑reach areas you can’t safely access.
Wolf Spider
Female up to 35mm,
Male up to 20mm.
Risk level: Low
Locality: Ground‑dwelling around gardens and lawns
Wolf spiders have a mottled grey and brown body, and harbour under leaf litter in the garden or burrows in the ground around the home.
Call Dawson’s professional spider control if you regularly see Wolf Spiders around outdoor play areas or entry points, notice burrows close to the house, or if anyone in the home is bitten or feels unsafe in the garden.
Brown Trapdoor Spider
Female up to 35mm,
Male up to 23mm.
Risk level: Low - mildly toxic
Locality: Ground‑dwelling in silk‑lined burrows
The ground-dwelling Trapdoor spider is a dull brown colour and covered in pale gold fine hairs. They are usually found harbouring inside burrows.
Call Dawson’s professional spider control if you see Brown Trapdoor spiders or their burrows close to paths, play areas or foundations, or if bites occur and you’re worried about family or pets.
Orb-weaving Spider
Female up to 30mm,
Male up to 20mm.
Risk level: Low - mildly toxic
Locality: Gardens and around buildings Australia‑wide
A reddish brown to grey spider with a leaf-shaped pattern on their abdomen. They build suspended, sticky, wheel-shaped orb webs between trees and shrubs where insects are likely to fly.
Call Dawson’s professional spider control if Orb Weaving spiders are building large webs across paths, doorways or outdoor living areas, or if their webs keep returning after DIY removal and are creating a safety or comfort issue.
What to Do If You Have Spiders
It is good practise not to leave clothes on the floor, or to shake them thoroughly before putting them on. Other ways to avoid unpleasant surprises are to check your bedding before going to bed, vacuum regularly, remove noticeable webs, fill in gaps in walls and under doors to prevent entry and reduce harbourage areas around the home by relocating firewood away from the home. You can also call Dawson’s for professional spider pest control advice or spider control treatments.
