A redback spider bite can cause significant pain and other symptoms. Correct identification matters because first aid for a redback bite is different from first aid for a suspected funnel-web or mouse spider bite.
For a suspected redback spider bite:
- Move away from the spider and remain calm.
- Wash the bite area gently with soap and water.
- Apply a wrapped cold pack for 15 minutes to help relieve pain.
- Do not apply a pressure immobilisation bandage.
- Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice.
- Seek medical care if the pain is severe, symptoms spread or you are concerned.
- Call Triple Zero on 000 if the person collapses, becomes unconscious or develops breathing difficulties.
St John Ambulance Australia recommends washing the area, applying a cold pack for 15 minutes and seeking medical attention if severe symptoms develop. stjohn.org.au
This article provides general first-aid information only. It does not replace advice from the Poisons Information Centre, a doctor or emergency services.
Important: Do Not Use a Pressure Bandage
Do not use pressure immobilisation for a confirmed or suspected redback spider bite. Pressure can worsen the pain.
Pressure immobilisation is recommended for suspected funnel-web or mouse spider bites, including a bite from an unidentified big, black, hairy spider. It is not the correct first aid for a redback bite. Healthdirect specifically says an immobilisation bandage should only be used for funnel-web or mouse spider bites. healthdirect
If the spider was large, black and cannot be confidently identified as a redback:
- Treat the bite as a medical emergency.
- Call Triple Zero on 000.
- Follow the operator’s instructions.
- Apply pressure immobilisation if advised and if you know how to do so.
- Keep the person still while waiting for an ambulance.
What Are Redback Spiders?
Redback spiders, Latrodectus hasselti, occur throughout Australia and are commonly associated with human habitation.
Adult female redbacks are usually black or brownish-black. They normally have an orange-to-red longitudinal stripe on the upper surface of the abdomen. An hourglass-shaped orange or red marking may appear on the underside.
The original article incorrectly says the hourglass marking is normally on the spider’s back.
Young redbacks can have additional pale markings, while males are much smaller and lighter in colour. Because other spiders can resemble redbacks, colour alone should not be used to identify every specimen.
The Australian Museum describes adult females as having a red or orange longitudinal stripe on the upper abdomen and an hourglass-shaped marking underneath. The Australian Museum
Where Do Redback Spiders Live?
Redbacks usually build irregular, tangled webs in dry, sheltered places. Common locations around homes and businesses include:
- Sheds and garages
- Outdoor furniture
- Stored pots and containers
- Woodpiles
- Rubbish and recycling areas
- Meter boxes
- Beneath outdoor equipment
- Around fences and retaining walls
- Toilets and external amenities
- Undisturbed storage areas
- Among rocks, logs and shrubs
Their webs often have strong vertical catching threads connected to the ground or another surface.
The Australian Museum reports that redbacks favour dry, sheltered sites near human habitation and are less common during winter. The Australian Museum
Redbacks are not normally aggressive. Bites are more likely when a spider becomes trapped against the skin or someone unknowingly reaches into its web or hiding place.
Symptoms of a Redback Spider Bite
Symptoms vary between people. A bite may cause:
- Pain at the bite site
- Increasing or persistent pain
- Local sweating
- Headache
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal discomfort
- General sweating or restlessness
Pain can spread away from the original bite site. The bite marks may be difficult to see, so symptom severity should not be judged only by the appearance of the skin.
Healthdirect lists pain, sweating, headache, muscle weakness and muscle spasms among the possible symptoms of a redback bite.
Correct First Aid for a Redback Spider Bite
Step 1: Move Away from the Spider
Move the person away from the spider and prevent anyone else from touching it or disturbing the web.
Do not attempt to capture the spider if doing so could cause another bite. A photograph taken from a safe distance may assist identification.
Step 2: Wash the Bite
Wash the area gently with soap and water.
Step 3: Apply a Cold Pack
Wrap a cold pack in a clean cloth and apply it to the bite for approximately 15 minutes. Reapply if pain continues.
Do not place ice directly against the skin because this may cause a cold injury.
Step 4: Do Not Apply Pressure Immobilisation
Do not wrap the limb firmly or apply pressure over the bite. NSW Health states that a pressure bandage can make redback bite pain worse.
Step 5: Obtain Advice
Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice. Describe:
- The person’s age
- Where the bite occurred
- When it happened
- The symptoms
- What the spider looked like
- Whether the pain is increasing or spreading
NSW Health advises people with a suspected redback bite to wash the area and contact the Poisons Information Centre. NSW Health
Step 6: Seek Medical Care When Needed
See a doctor or attend an emergency department if:
- The pain is severe
- Symptoms do not settle
- Sweating or pain spreads
- Vomiting, weakness or muscle spasms develop
- The person is a young child
- You are uncertain which spider caused the bite
- The Poisons Information Centre advises medical assessment
Call Triple Zero on 000 if the person:
- Collapses
- Becomes unconscious
- Has difficulty breathing
- Deteriorates rapidly
- Was bitten by a suspected funnel-web or unidentified big black spider
How to Prevent Redback Spider Bites
Redback bites often occur when a person puts a hand into a sheltered space or moves an object where a spider has built its web.
Reduce the risk by:
- Wearing gloves when gardening or clearing stored items
- Wearing enclosed shoes in sheds and storage areas
- Checking shoes and gloves before putting them on
- Avoiding blind reaches beneath furniture or equipment
- Using a torch to inspect dark spaces
- Shaking out outdoor clothing and towels
- Inspecting children’s outdoor toys
- Moving stored items carefully
- Reducing clutter in sheds and garages
- Keeping beds and play areas away from stored materials
- Teaching children not to touch spiders or webs
If a redback web is found in a frequently used area, keep children and pets away until it has been assessed or safely removed.
Reducing Redback Spider Activity Around a Property
No treatment can guarantee that redback spiders will never return. Spiders can enter from adjoining properties or rebuild webs where shelter and prey remain available.
Useful prevention measures include:
- Removing unnecessary clutter
- Keeping storage areas organised
- Moving firewood away from occupied areas
- Sealing suitable cracks and openings
- Repairing damaged screens
- Reducing insect activity around outdoor lighting
- Regularly inspecting outdoor furniture and play equipment
- Removing unused containers and other sheltered harbourage
- Keeping rubbish areas clean
Do not reach into a web or attempt to handle a suspected redback.
For broader property advice, read our guide to getting rid of spiders at home or work.
Professional Redback Spider Control in Newcastle
If redbacks are repeatedly appearing around sheds, garages, outdoor furniture or children’s play areas, professional spider control can help assess the extent of the activity.
A professional service may include:
- Inspecting likely harbourage and web locations.
- Identifying the spider where possible.
- Removing accessible webs and egg sacs where appropriate.
- Applying a registered pest-control product to suitable areas.
- Identifying clutter, gaps and insect activity supporting spiders.
- Recommending practical prevention measures.
- Explaining whether follow-up treatment is appropriate.
Do not promise that every hidden spider will be located or that the property will remain permanently spider-free.
Newcastle Pest Exterminators provides spider control for homes and businesses across Newcastle. Our technicians inspect likely harbourage and apply targeted treatment according to the product label and conditions at the property.
If you are dealing with spiders inside the building, our guide to how pests enter homes explains the gaps and property conditions that may be contributing to the problem.
Contact Newcastle Pest Exterminators to discuss recurring redback or spider activity at your property.
