Few things end a quiet evening faster than a hand sized spider appearing above the television. After more than 65 years of pest control across Adelaide and country SA, Murray’s has heard every huntsman story there is, and the same two questions come up every time. What is it, and should I be worried? Here are the honest answers.

How to Identify a Huntsman Spider

The good news is that a huntsman is one of the easiest Australian spiders to recognise, because very little else looks or moves like it. Check for these features before you get too close.

If the spider you are looking at is glossy black with a red stripe, or squat and aggressive near ground level, you are dealing with a different animal altogether, and that changes the advice below.

Are Huntsman Spiders Dangerous?

In short, no. For all the drama they cause, huntsmen are reluctant to bite, and bites are uncommon and not considered dangerous to people, though they can be briefly painful. As we tell customers all the time, despite their fearsome appearance it is actually good to have a huntsman around the house, because they quietly eat the insects you like even less.

The huntsman is the housemate you can live with. The redback is the one to worry about.

Common Places They Hide in Adelaide Homes

A huntsman spider ends up indoors for simple reasons: insects to hunt and quiet, flat spaces to tuck into. That flattened body means it can disappear into gaps you would never suspect.

• Behind things on walls: picture frames, mirrors, clocks and curtains are classic daytime hiding spots.
• High corners and ceilings: especially in rooms where lights burn late, because light attracts the insects spiders feed on.
• Sheds, garages and verandahs: anywhere with stored items, stacked timber or undisturbed clutter.
• Pots and outdoor furniture: always check these before bringing them inside, along with firewood and loose bark.
• Cars: behind sun visors and mirrors, which is exactly as much fun as it sounds at 60 kilometres an hour.

What to Do If You Find One

Take a breath first. A huntsman on the wall is startled, not stalking you, and it wants a way out more than you want it gone. The calm approach works best.

• Jar and card: spiders can be easily removed by placing a glass jar over them, sliding firm paper or card underneath, and releasing them outside.
• Build the habits: check bedclothes at night, and shake any clothes left on the floor before getting dressed.
• Cut the buffet: switch off unneeded lights, since they attract the insects that are food for spiders.
• If in doubt, do not touch: some Australian spiders are genuinely dangerous, so when you cannot identify one confidently, leave it alone and call for help.

Professional Spider Treatments as a Barrier

Relocating one visitor is easy. Stopping the steady stream of them is where a professional barrier earns its keep, especially if your home also sees redbacks and white tails around the yard.

A qualified Murray Pest Control technician carries out a chemical barrier treatment focused on the critical areas that stop spider ingress into the property: an exterior liquid spray to walls and eaves, spot treatment of cracks, crevices and harbourages, and treatment of wall areas where spiders travel. Every spider treatment is backed by a three month warranty on the treated area.

You can read more about Murray’s spider control service, including the online treatment deal for residential properties in metro Adelaide. Commercial and regional customers can email website@murraypestcontrol.com.au to arrange service through their nearest branch.

So next time a huntsman spider appears on the wall, take a breath, reach for the jar, and remember it has been keeping your insect numbers down all along. And if spiders of any kind keep finding their way in, a professional barrier will do the arguing for you.