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Red Back Spider Latrodectus hasseltti

The spider with the worst reputation is perhaps the Red Back Spider (Latrodectus hasselti). This species and its sub-species can be found throughout the world. In Australia we call them 'Red Back Spiders' or 'Redbacks' while in United States they are commonly called Black Widow (Latrodectus mactans). In Europe they are known as Malmignatte. In Arabia they are called Jockey Spider, in Russia the Black Wolf. The New Zealanders call them Katipo or Night Stinger. In South Africa they are known as Swart Knopiespinnekop, or the Shoe-button. The Redback has caused a number of deaths and illness from its toxic bite. Many bites occur on male genitals, as these spiders construct their webs across the seats of outside and often unsewered toilets. Red Back Spiders are easily recognised. The female adult ranges from 12-15mm in size. Its body is velvety black in colour with the distinctive bright red or orange mark on top of the back. On the bottom side of the abdomen there is the pale or red 'time-bottle' mark. Some females are entirely black and can be mistaken for another species. The adult male spider is much smaller (3-4 mm), is more pale in colour, does not bite and is not easily seen unless you find it near the adult females. This occurs in late summer and autumn. The young female Red Back spiders have a red or orange mark with a white edge around it on the top of the back. A typical Red Back Spider will nest near an outside window frame, a mass of tangled web with a strong silk line. Usually there are insect remains just outside the retreat. Red back spiders hide in the daytime. Insecticides powdered, sprayed, misted or fogged are the best ways to get rid of Red Back Spiders. However, when the insecticide residual wears off and the effect become weaker (after three to six months), usually Red Back Spiders are the first spiders to come back to the treated areas. If you choose to control Red Back Spiders using chemical sprays, whether by yourself or using a pest control company, treatment should be repeated frequently and regularly. An antivenene is available for the treatment of bites from the Red Back Spider. Phone the Poisons Information Line on 13 11 26 (National) or contact your doctor as soon as possible after the attack. Here is an excerpt from an unidentifiable source which you may find amusing: "The most effective way to control Red Back Spiders is to find them and distort them, and then discourage their existence by their natural enemies. To hunt for the Red Back Spider, don't forget a pair of gloves and shoes. I will use a stick, over 30cm (1 foot) long, as my weapon. Try to hit quickly and precisely for the Red Back Spider will react very quickly. Before the stick hits the spider, it will touch the outer silk lines first so the spider may have enough time to escape. Using a shoe or a sandal as a weapon is not good for they are big and will disturb the silk easily. Moreover they will block your eyesight so that you cannot see where the Red Back Spider has gone. From my experience, it is not always easy to hit the spider at first attack. If the spider escapes it will either run back to its nest or drop down on to the ground. In either case they may not be found again but don't worry, wait for the next day at the same location. You will see it again. While you attack, if you miss the Red Back Spider and find it disappears, make sure it is not on your clothes (or under toilet seat)." We hope you enjoyed this - I can just see the fellow waiting and waiting for this poor spider to appear so he can hit it with his stick! For further information on Red Back Spiders, their habitations and treatment methods, please contact us at Westate Pest Control using the Talk to Us selection on the left side of your screen or ring us on 6365 4800 during office hours. We are always pleased to help where we can. Keyword: pest control spider

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