Black Widow Spider in Australia vs Redback: What's the Difference?
Key Takeaways
- Same genus, different species: redbacks and black widows are both widow spiders, but they are separate species.
- Redbacks are the widow spider to watch for here: the redback is believed to originate in Australia.
- Bite first aid: use an ice pack, skip the pressure bandage and seek medical attention.
- Antivenom: no redback deaths have been formally reported since it came into use in 1956.
- Prevention: clear the clutter they shelter in and book a professional treatment.
People sometimes ask us, which is more dangerous, black widows or redback spiders? The answer is simple: they are as bad as each other. No one knows why such creatures exist when all we see of them is this nasty habit of assaulting humans. Here are some facts we have gathered, just in case anyone needs any more convincing.
And it does not really matter which of the terrible twins you have got. Basically, you do not want to get on the wrong side of a redback spider or a black widow. It is going to end in tears, so the best thing is to get rid of them.
Are Black Widows in Australia?
We are asked this one a lot, so here is the short answer. The black widow most people picture (Latrodectus mactans) is found in North America and other regions. In Australia, the widow spider you are most likely to meet is the redback, which is believed to originate here.
Both the black widow and redback spider live in hot, dry places and like to get some shelter. The redback - the one you are more likely to encounter in this fine but sometimes wild land of ours - hides under rocks, in piles of wood and in whatever nooks and crannies it can find.
- Hides away: That means they keep out of the way much of the time, so it may not be obvious that they are there, on your territory.
- Spins a web: Their method of finding prey is to spin a web and wait for an unsuspecting insect to fly into it and get stuck.
- Dinner time: Then it's din-dins for the spider, which paralyses its victims with its handy, inbuilt store of venom.
You may suspect you have a spider nest in your home and business - if this is the case you can get in touch with someone providing pest control services to identify and treat these for you.
What is the Difference Between a Black Widow vs a Redback Spider?
They both belong to the genus Latrodectus, but they are separate species: the redback is Latrodectus hasselti and the black widow is Latrodectus mactans. DNA research shows the redback is a distinct species, not a subspecies of the black widow.
| Feature | Redback spider | Black widow |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Latrodectus hasselti | Latrodectus mactans |
| Where it comes from | Believed to originate in Australia | Found in North America and other regions |
| Family group | Widow spiders (genus Latrodectus) | Widow spiders (genus Latrodectus) |
They look similar to those untrained in redback pest control, with markings that could be considered quite attractive if it were not for the nature of the beast. The female redback carries a red stripe on the upper abdomen and a red or orange hourglass-shaped streak on the underside.
However, if someone is bitten by either of them, black widow vs redback does not really come into it. The thing to do is get medical help immediately - go to the emergency room at a hospital if that is the best option. Do not panic but get some qualified medical help asap.
Black Widow Spider vs Redback Spider: The Venom
The two also have similar venoms, which cause unpleasant effects but are not necessarily lethal. Anyone who is bitten should get medical advice. At Dentec, we would always rather you see a doctor first.
Early symptoms of a redback bite include:
- Pain: it can become severe
- Sweating: including sweating around the bite site
- Muscle weakness: it can develop as the venom spreads
- Nausea and vomiting: common in more serious bites
Here is the first aid for a redback bite:
- Apply an ice pack to relieve the pain.
- Do not use a pressure bandage, because it makes the pain worse.
- If you can do it safely, collect the spider and take it with you, so those treating the wound can identify it.
- Seek medical attention.
Antivenom is available, and no deaths from redback bites have been formally reported since it came into use in 1956. You can read more in the Australian Museum's redback spider guide.
How Can I Avoid the Risk of Black Widow Spiders and Redback Spiders?
That is a sensible question. We have looked at recognising them and dealing with the effects, but nobody wants to have to do that. The answer is to get the property treated, so we can minimise the likelihood of one of these little monsters attacking you, your family or a visitor.
Redbacks build in dry, sheltered spots, so a few simple jobs help between treatments:
- Clear the clutter: move rocks, logs and junk piles away from the house
- Check the usual spots: sheds, mailboxes, window frames and outdoor toilets
- Tidy storage areas: keep boxes and outdoor materials off the ground
- Book a treatment: we at Dentec know all about black widows and redbacks and we know how to get rid of them for you
We can treat the usual hiding spots around the home, sheds and yard. We know where redbacks like to hide, so let us come out there and get your property sorted.
What Do I Do If I Have a Spider Problem?
Well, the obvious answer but the correct one is to get in touch with a professional spider exterminator who can deal with the issue for you - it goes without saying it is not a good idea for untrained individuals to attempt to deal with either of these dangerous spiders alone!
Our technicians remove spider nests by dusting and treating with insecticide. We are local, licensed and family owned, and we will work around your day. Book online or call us on 02 6887 2825.
- Read next: White-tailed Spiders vs. Redback Spiders
- Read next: 3 easy ways to identify a redback spider nest
Frequently Asked Questions
Are black widows and redbacks the same?
No. Both are widow spiders in the genus Latrodectus, but they are different species. The redback (Latrodectus hasselti) is believed to originate in Australia, while the black widow (Latrodectus mactans) is found in North America and other regions. DNA research shows the redback is a distinct species and not a subspecies of the black widow.
Red back spider vs black widow: which bite is worse?
For a redback bite, apply an ice pack, skip the pressure bandage and seek medical attention. Only the female redback has a dangerous bite, and she rarely leaves her web. Whichever spider is responsible, we would always say get medical advice rather than waiting to see how bad it gets.
Can a redback spider kill you?
Redback bites caused serious illness and deaths in the past, before antivenom was introduced. No deaths have been formally reported since antivenom came into use in 1956, but a bite can still be very painful. If someone in the family is bitten, we would always say seek medical attention straight away.
How do I get rid of redback spiders at home?
Start by clearing the woodpiles, rocks and clutter where redbacks shelter, then call us. Our technicians remove spider nests by dusting and treating with insecticide, and we will happily give a free quote. We would rather you did not handle redbacks yourself, because the female's bite can be dangerous.
Book Redback Spider Control in Dubbo
If you have spotted a redback or just want your property checked, book online or call our friendly team on 02 6887 2825. We are a family owned business with over 25 years of local experience, and we are always happy to give a free quote.
