Leafy streets, bushland edges and high-set timber homes make Brisbane good spider country. Black house spiders build messy webs in window corners, huntsman spiders turn up on walls and inside cars, orb weavers string webs across garden paths, and redbacks hide under outdoor furniture and in sheds. Most people are happy to live with a few, but a build-up around doors, eaves and play areas is another matter.
The crew we book walks the outside of the home first, because that is where most spiders live and feed. They brush down webs, then treat the eaves, window frames, doors, fences, garden edges, outdoor furniture, sheds and garage. Inside, they focus on corners, the roof void and the space under the house on high-set homes, where spiders shelter out of the weather. Cars parked in carports and garages are worth a look too, since huntsman spiders often ride along inside them.
- Webs brushed down from eaves, windows and doors
- Eaves, walls and window frames sprayed
- Sheds, garages and outdoor furniture treated
- Roof void and sub-floor treated where accessible
- Advice on lighting, clutter and garden edges
Spiders go where the insects are, so outdoor lights, overgrown gardens and cluttered corners draw them in. Swapping bright white lights near doors for warmer bulbs, trimming plants back from the house and keeping sheds tidy all help. Homes that back onto bushland, such as around Toohey Forest in Tarragindi or the Mount Coot-tha side of Bardon, may need treatment once or twice a year.
If someone is bitten, call 000 if it is serious, or speak to a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. To book spider treatment in Brisbane, call 07 3543 7764.
