Black Spider in the House: How to Identify and Control Common NSW House Spiders
Key Takeaways
- Common black coloured house spiders in NSW include the Black House Spider, Huntsman, Wolf Spider and White tail Spider, and most are timid and low risk despite their appearance.
- The dangerous look alike to be aware of is the Funnel Web Spider, identified by its shiny black body, long spinnerets and aggressive posture.
- Black spiders typically nest in window and door frames, roof eaves, woodpiles and cluttered sheds or storage areas.
- Simple prevention, such as decluttering and sealing gaps, can be done yourself, but multiple nests or a suspected dangerous species calls for a professional.
- A true Redback Spider has a round black body with a distinctive red stripe and is often mistaken for False Widow or Huntsman spiders.
The Black House Spider has a painful bite but is timid and rarely bites people. It has a dark brown to black appearance, and several other NSW spiders look similar at a glance. Knowing how to tell these species apart helps you respond appropriately, whether that means leaving a spider alone or calling in professional help.
Common Black Coloured House Spiders in NSW
Several black or dark coloured spiders turn up in and around NSW homes, and each has distinct features worth knowing.
| Spider | Appearance | Behaviour and Bite |
|---|---|---|
| Black House Spider | Velvety black body, short legs, charcoal grey patterned abdomen | Timid, stays in its funnel shaped web. Rare bites cause nausea, local pain, swelling and sweating. |
| Huntsman Spider | Grey, dark brown or black, large hairy body, long forward bending legs | Fast moving but docile, does not build webs. Bites are uncommon and cause only minor pain. |
| Wolf Spider | Robust and hairy, grey, brown or black mottled markings, prominent eyes | Lives in burrows or leaf litter rather than a web. Not aggressive, bites cause mild, localised itching or pain. |
| White tail Spider | Dark reddish grey body with banded legs and a white spot on the abdomen tip | Mainly outdoors but can enter homes in clothing or furnishings. Bites cause moderate pain that does not last long. |
Harmless Spiders vs Dangerous Look Alikes
The Black House Spider is recognised by its velvety appearance, pale markings and lacy web, which is often built high up in window frames and door corners. Its bite is unpleasant but relatively harmless.
A genuinely dangerous look alike is the Funnel Web Spider, a highly aggressive spider with a venomous bite that can be life threatening. A Funnel Web Spider is large and robust, with a shiny black body, dark brown abdomen and long rear spinnerets, and is usually found at ground level in burrows, or under rocks and logs rather than in an elevated web.
Two other look alikes are worth knowing:
- Trapdoor Spiders are often mistaken for Funnel Webs but are duller, hairier and less aggressive, with a burrow that has a neat, hinged lid.
- Mouse Spiders resemble Funnel Webs, also burrow in the ground, and deliver a potent bite with severe effects.
If you are ever unsure which species you are dealing with, treat it as high risk, avoid handling it and contact a licensed professional spider exterminator rather than guessing. The Australian Museum's profile on the Sydney Funnel-web Spider is a useful reference for identification.
Where Black Spiders Typically Nest In and Around a Dubbo Home
Black House Spiders and their relatives commonly nest both inside and outside a property.
Inside the Home
- Corners, window frames and door frames.
- Crevices in walls and around fittings.
- Near lights that attract the moths and flies they feed on.
Outside the Home
- Lacy webs radiating from window and door corners.
- Under roof eaves, sheltered from the weather.
- Gaps in brickwork and around outdoor fittings such as barbecues, furniture and meter boxes.
- Wood piles and storage areas in sheds.
Simple Prevention vs When a Professional Treatment Is Needed
Some spider management is straightforward enough to handle yourself, while other situations call for professional pest control.
You can usually manage these yourself:
- Clear clutter and trim vegetation away from exterior walls.
- Seal cracks and gaps that allow spiders to enter.
- Turn off external lights that attract the insects spiders feed on.
Call a professional when:
- You spot a spider you believe is dangerous, such as a suspected Funnel Web.
- Multiple spiders and webs appear around the property.
- DIY sprays and other measures have not solved the problem.
- The household includes vulnerable people, such as young children or elderly residents.
Our spider control service covers safe identification and removal for homes across Dubbo and the Central West, so you are not left guessing which species you are dealing with.
Myth Busting: Is It Actually a Redback?
A true Redback Spider has a shiny, spherical black body with a distinctive red stripe along its back. It is shy, rarely bites, and builds a tangled web close to the ground. Several other spiders are commonly mistaken for it:
- False Widow Spiders have a similar body shape and sometimes carry red markings, though never as vibrant as a true Redback.
- Australian Huntsman Spiders are large and hairy but have a different body shape and no red stripe.
- Red headed Mouse Spiders are sometimes confused with Redbacks due to their dark colouring, but are a physically different species.
If a suspected Redback nest turns up in a shed, under furniture or around a play area, our redback spider treatment service can confirm the species and remove it safely, giving you certainty rather than a guess.
FAQ
Are black house spiders dangerous?
Black House Spiders are timid and rarely bite people. A bite can cause local pain, swelling and nausea, but it is not considered dangerous compared with venomous species such as the Funnel Web Spider.
How do I tell a black house spider from a funnel web spider?
A Black House Spider is velvety with pale markings and builds a lacy web up high, around windows or doorframes. A Funnel Web Spider is shiny black with long rear spinnerets and is usually found at ground level in a burrow rather than an elevated web.
What should I do if I find a black spider in my house?
Avoid provoking or handling it. If you cannot confidently identify the species, or you suspect it may be a Funnel Web or Mouse Spider, contact a licensed pest control professional rather than attempting removal yourself.
Where do black spiders usually nest around a home?
Indoors, they favour window frames, door corners and wall crevices, often near lights that attract insects. Outdoors, they nest under roof eaves, in brickwork gaps and around woodpiles, sheds and outdoor fittings.
