Q&A for How to Identify a Redback Spider

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Are redback spiders venomous or poisonous?

Brandon Runyon
Entomologist
Brandon Runyon is a board-certified Entomologist based in Evansville, Indiana. He has over 18 years of experience as a Pest Control professional, and is the Technical Director of Swat Pest Management. Swat Pest Management serves areas throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, where they provide safe, cost-effective solutions for client’s pest control needs. He authored Bugged by Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Pest Control, a user-friendly guide to commercial pest control practices in hotels, restaurants, apartments, and offices. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Entomology, and received a MS in Entomology from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also received an MBA from Western Governors University.

Brandon Runyon

Entomologist

Expert Answer

Redback spiders from Australia are venomous rather than poisonous. They possess venom glands that produce a potent neurotoxin, which they inject into their prey through their fangs. While their bite can cause significant pain, swelling, and other symptoms, it is rarely fatal, especially with prompt medical treatment. However, severe reactions can occur, particularly in vulnerable individuals such as the elderly or young children. Although deaths from redback spider bites are extremely rare, it's essential to seek medical attention if bitten to receive appropriate treatment and manage any potential complications.

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Question

What should I do if a child gets bitten by a redback spider?

Community Answer

Take the child to the emergency department immediately or call your local number for emergency services.

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Question

How dangerous are they?

Community Answer

Redback Spiders are extremely dangerous: a bite will send you to the hospital.

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Question

A 2-year-old was bitten by a spider two days ago and is vomiting tonight. What can I do?

Community Answer

If a young child is bit, the venom is more toxic. Take the child to the hospital - not the doctor - and get tests.

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Question

What if a spider bites my face?

Community Answer

Treat it the same as you would treat any other bite. If it swells badly or is spreading, go to the doctor.

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Are white-tailed spiders dangerous?

Community Answer

They are if you are unlucky enough to be allergic to their venom. This can cause serious medical and skin issues. Some people get no adverse reactions after the initial bite care, however.

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Question

Is it safe to poke my finger in a hole?

Bubby Aroura

Community Answer

No. Never do that. The spider may bite you and hurt you. Try to stay away from anything the spider could live in.

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Question

What should I do if I've been getting bitten by brown and reddish spiders with a white marking on their back? I get pus-infected wounds at the bite marks.

Community Answer

Call your local pest control and describe the spiders to them. Take a picture if you can. If the bites continue to be painful or look infected, see a doctor immediately.

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Question

Is it possible to study redback spiders, or are they too aggressive?

Community Answer

If you want to study them, just take photos from a safe distance so they don't feel threatened.

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Question

Do redbacks follow their prey?

Community Answer

No! They use funnel-shaped webs to catch their prey. The webs are sticky, so they prevent prey from escaping.

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Question

How would you know you got bitten if you didn't feel it?

Bridget Craghill

Community Answer

You would have a variety of symptoms as written in method 3 step 2. "you might experience sweating, weak muscles, vomiting, muscle spasms and pain around the bitten area." And even if you're asleep, it won't take long for you to wake up in pain. Check the area the pain seems to emanating from to see if it might be a spider bite and go to emergency at the hospital to be checked.

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Question

Do redback spiders ever have a yellow stripe instead of a red or orange stripe?

Community Answer

Yes, a yellow variant of the stripe is possible; red is most common but yellow and orange variants are also seen on some redback spiders. It is all part of the same color spectrum.

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Can you have redback spiders as pets?

Sosig

Top Answerer

No, it is not recommended that you keep a redback as a pet. Their bites are toxic and even deadly.

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