Thread: Arachnophiles - can anybody ID this spider?

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

They help to control other invaders, so spiders are good.

Agree to a degree. I kill every redback I find around our 4th floor balconies. (Some times of year at a rate of 3 a week!). I wouldn’t catch and release a funnel web either.

Originally Posted by tact

Agree to a degree. I kill every redback I find around our 4th floor balconies. (Some times of year at a rate of 3 a week!). I wouldn’t catch and release a funnel web either.

You could release them in my boss’ office 😈

This is "Nancy, The Night Spider". She took up residence about 5-6 years ago. A veritable marvel to watch her make/repair her web.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

It's like living in a spiders nest here, there are so many. I have to get the house sprayed so the whol elot doesn't literally get wrapped up in webs. I thought it was a funnel web, which is unusual as I didn't think that funnel webs really lived in this area, but any funnel web around here will be a dead one. I won't miss a million wolf spiders though, I'm forever stepping over them in the kitchen already.

There are also plenty of spiders here, and we just live with them, although I catch the funnel webs and take them for antivenom production

Originally Posted by Don 130

There are also plenty of spiders here, and we just live with them, although I catch the funnel webs and take them for antivenom production

Thats a good idea I guess. I wonder if there is still a need? Or do the antivenom producers breed enough of their own? If there is a need, I haven’t seen it publicised in the recent year or so.

Haven’t had to deal with a funnel web in the last 18mths or so living in Syd. Stepped on one accidentally in the ACT about 20yrs ago, the only one I’d seen in the 10yrs living there.

I mentioned to a colleague the killing of 3 redbacks in a week around home for a few weeks one season, the colleague commented he had never seen a red back (or funnel web) his entire life in Sydney. Broke it to him gently that where he parks his car next to mine in the basement car park there are 2 or 3 I see every day! (Don’t bother killing them as they are not close to home/kids).

I guess some people just don’t “see”. My son was 8yo when I brought him here and educated him of the dangers. He can spot/identify a redback web without needing to see the spider to know its there.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Oh thats gold! The reaction would have been priceless!

She actually ignored what I wrote - she thought I was having a lend of her! I guess I play the joker too much at home.

With all those baby spiders on the back of the op's spider it would make a nice crunch sound when its squashed underfoot...

Originally Posted by tact

She actually ignored what I wrote - she thought I was having a lend of her! I guess I play the joker too much at home.

Your Mrs is very good to you!