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AIBU?

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Original poster

Spiders in Australia

99 replies

Tyrasanchez30 · 25/06/2021 18:06

Random topic I know
I have always dreamed of going once it's possible again after the travel restrictions, but I am terrified of spiders. Well most creepy-crawlies really, but those especially.

I know they're supposed to be much larger in Australia, realistically am I likely to find the huge ones in Sydney, Melbourne etc. Or are they mainly in the outback? I've heard stories of people coming home from work and a table-sized spider is on their wall I Sydney.
What's it really like?

OP posts:
FastFood · 25/06/2021 19:22

@Aprilx

*it was about 8 inches leg span, so not a massive one. 😁
Googled huntsman. And that's exactly how I'm going to visit Australia. By using Google street view. No way I set a foot on a piece of land where such creatures exist.
Wejustdontknow · 25/06/2021 19:27

Ds has a real phobia of spiders so when we went on holiday to Australia for the first few days he had me checking every room/under beds, toilet seats, covers before he would go near them. We went to Adelaide and never saw a spider in the month we were there. The family we have there did say if we were to go picking up rocks and things in the garden we might see redbacks which are poisonous so we just made sure the kids were careful if outside. Is obviously a very big place so will differ by area but it was an amazing holiday and I can’t wait to be able to go back

Malin52 · 25/06/2021 19:28

Lived in Sydney for 2 years. Never saw a single spider.

Selttan · 25/06/2021 19:30

Huntsman are the largest spiders where I live.

I've got a small one in my garage at the moment - only about 3cm wide. I've named it Harry.

They are non-venomous and will leave you alone if you leave them alone.

I still remember when I was a kid my Nanna coming to tuck me in to bed and she had a huntsman on her shoulder. When I screamed she just said she'll put it outside in a minute.

If you are staying in hotels I doubt you'd come across any spiders.

user1471481356 · 25/06/2021 19:35

I live in Melbourne. Where I live now we’ve never in 8 years had a big spider, because there are no trees. Growing up we had huge huntsman very very regularly. But they’re harmless even if they are terrifying. We often have small spiders, though we spray the house with pesticides to keep them out.

Qld on the other hand….. yes, they are as big as a plate. It is the worst thing about visiting my sister. I don’t care if they’re harmless, I can not be in a house with a giant hairy spider staring at me as if it’s about to jump on me. And the cane toads! Disgusting. Don’t forget the leeches 🤢

Pinuporc · 25/06/2021 19:42

I really shouldnt read this as I have family in Australia who I hope to visit next year (covid permitting) but I cant deal with "big" spiders here (which Australians would think were tiny) I dont think I could stay in the same town house if there was a large spider on the ceiling !

SamanthaJayne4 · 25/06/2021 19:50

We had a three week holiday in the Northern Territory and spiders weren't a problem at all. We stayed in motels. We only saw one snake. It was a small brown one which just slithered away. It was a dangerous one. In the outback I used a public toilet which was fairly open and there was a very small lizard in there. Now crocodiles were another matter! We saw loads of them. One set of public toilets were up in the air with steps up. Presumably to keep the crocs out. I loved Australia and I don't like dangerous creatures. I think you will be ok OP.

SweetPetrichor · 25/06/2021 20:03

Huntsman spiders are very speedy but utterly harmless. You may get them in homes, but as with any spider, they don’t want to be seen or risk a run in with humans. You get tarantulas but you are not likely to see one of them as they are fossorial and unlikely to be around homes or out during the day. The only spider that poses much threat to you is the Sydney funnel web and they haven’t caused a death since anti-venom was developed - I think in the 80s! Just be mindful of the dark nooks and crannies where spiders like to hide and you’ll be fine. You’re unlikely to see anything bigger than a large UK house spider.

Puffalicious · 25/06/2021 20:09

When I lived in Melbourne we had 2 Huntsmans who would visit the bath most days. I just said hi and turned on the shower and they would scuttle off. Totally and utterly harmless. As PP have said it's the tiny redbacks you need to look out for.

If you feel that bad perhaps travel is not for you...

littlepeas · 25/06/2021 20:14

A friend of mine had to catch a huntsman in a saucepan in her sister’s Sydney flat. Shock

Mmmmdanone · 25/06/2021 20:17

I don't think saying they are harmless helps 🤣 . Uk house spiders are also harmless but if you have phobia that doesn't matter.

MilduraS · 25/06/2021 20:17

I lived in Australia for a couple of years and have a huge phobia of spiders. I was ok with the red backs (the actual dangerous ones) because they stayed tucked away but the one time I came across a huntsman in my room I booked a hotel for a few days until my housemate came home. One huntsman in 2 years wasn't bad considering I was in the outback and worked on farms.

Looubylou · 25/06/2021 20:44

Well that's me saving a few thousand pounds and trying to think of a new lifelong dream.

CityCommuter · 25/06/2021 21:03

Also maybe I'm naive but I can't imagine any 🕷 deliberately setting out to bite a human. They most likely only do that if you try to catch / trap them. I would advise you to shake our shoes before putting them on and tucking in all bed sheets and duvets so that you're not giving them a chance to get in!

Puppylucky · 25/06/2021 21:46

I lived in Sydney for two years and had 3 encounters with Huntsmen indoors - two in my house and one in the toilets at work. It's not quite true to say they are harmless, as they can bite but it won't kill you. They are also not that shy - the second one I saw in the house had made himself at home on the sofa. They are weirdly beautiful though, as they are so big they look like broaches. The Australians seemed quite blasé about spiders, but were very wary of snakes as there are far more of them that can kill you. Bizarrely their magpies are apparently quite dangerous as well!

echt · 25/06/2021 22:05

For the record, nearly all spiders all over the world are venomous (not poisonous). Living in Melbourne, I don't mind spiders though am careful picking up plant pots with overhanging edges as that's how I got bitten.

I know there's redback in a container in the front garden because I saw the bugger last week, but as it's winter, I'll leave it there.

I was brought up not to harm spiders as it was considered bad luck, though I might draw the line at that redback, come spring.

Pinuporc · 25/06/2021 22:12

I don't think saying they are harmless helps 🤣 . Uk house spiders are also harmless but if you have phobia that doesn't matter.

Exactly. I know numerous ways to harmlessly remove a spider, I just can't do it!! I know they wont hurt me or that they might be more scared of me....but that wont stop me crapping myself if I see a spider with a body bigger than a 5p!

FeatheredHope · 25/06/2021 22:12

Why on earth did I read this thread? I’m not going to be able to sleep...

Lemonyfuckit · 25/06/2021 22:18

I know exactly what you mean OP, we went to Australia a few years ago and this was really preying on my mind beforehand as I am terrified of all spiders, even the little ones (just reading this thread has made me very twitchy), and I hate snakes. Whilst we didn't go to the outback or anything, mainly just cities, I don't know if I just got very lucky but I didn't see a single one or a snake in three weeks. Partly I was lucky and also I'm a bit short sighted so eg when walking through the botanic gardens I didn't wear my glasses, didn't look closely at any bushes and my DP told me when to steer clear of any bushes in particular. But he had a massive spider run across the pavement almost over his foot - I was ahead of him and didn't see it, also he saw a massive snake which I didn't so Smile.

kowari · 25/06/2021 23:02

Bizarrely their magpies are apparently quite dangerous as well!
At least they don't swoop while you are watching them (unlike the masked lapwing, or plover) so you can just draw or stick eyes on the back of your hat.

Longdistance · 25/06/2021 23:09

I lived in Perth WA for two years and in all that time I came across one red back spider in that time.

Wizzbangfizz · 25/06/2021 23:13

I'm the biggest arachnophobe going and I've lived there - saw big ones but never inside running across the carpet - I'm way more terrified of British house spiders

Kittykat93 · 25/06/2021 23:27

Googled huntsman and really wish I hadnt...gross Sad

ScottishNewbie · 25/06/2021 23:30

They are absolutely enormous. I would often have them, and geckos in the house.
It helps to have screens on all windows and doors and try to keep them closed, but doesn't stop them completely.
Just part of living their I think. It wasn't too bad, you just get used to it in a strange way

Lauraa7 · 25/06/2021 23:36

I’ve lived in Australia for 12 years, and it is very rare to see a snake or spider. My husband did get bitten by a red back and he was fine. It’s best to check under seats in the evening!