Spider Identification in Sydney: The Spiders You'll Find Around the House

By Nick, Active Termite Control, licensed pest controller (NSW licence 5074559), Earlwood. Updated 21 October 2026.

The short answer: The spiders most Sydney homeowners ask about are the funnel-web, mouse spider, redback, huntsman, white-tailed spider and St Andrew's Cross. Funnel-webs and redbacks are the ones to keep away from, and mouse spiders are often mistaken for funnel-webs. If you're not sure what it is, treat it as dangerous, don't handle it, and call 000 if anyone is bitten.

Safety first

Don't handle spiders. Some Sydney spiders are dangerous, including funnel-webs. If there's any chance it's one, keep away, keep kids and pets clear, and call 000 straight away if anyone is bitten.

First aid is different for different spiders. Follow the NSW Poisons Information Centre's first-aid advice, and call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

I'm a pest controller, not a spider expert or a doctor. Every fact about the spiders on this page comes from the Australian Museum, linked under each one.

Common Sydney spiders at a glance

What does a funnel-web look like?

Sydney funnel-webs are "shiny, dark brown to black spiders with finger-like spinnerets", with a body 2 to 4 cm long. Males have a large spur on the second pair of legs. The Australian Museum says the species can't easily be told from the Southern Sydney funnel-web by eye (Australian Museum).

Males wander mostly over summer and autumn and sometimes end up in houses, shoes and pools. More on my funnel-web spiders in Sydney page.

How do I tell a mouse spider from a funnel-web?

You often can't by eye, so treat it the same way. The Australian Museum says mouse spiders are "stout black spiders" that are "often confused with funnel-web spiders", and that some mouse spider bites have caused serious effects similar to a funnel-web's. It says first aid should be the same as for a funnel-web bite (Australian Museum).

Male mouse spiders wander looking for females from late summer until about April or May, and are sometimes seen during the day, especially after rain.

What does a redback spider look like?

A female redback is black, occasionally brownish, with an orange-to-red stripe on the top of the abdomen and an hourglass-shaped mark underneath. She's about 1 cm. The male is much smaller, 3 to 4 mm, and light brown with white markings (Australian Museum).

The Australian Museum says redbacks favour being close to people, building webs in dry, sheltered spots like among rocks, in logs, shrubs, junk piles, sheds and toilets. Only the female's bite is dangerous, and bites are most common in summer. Its first aid is different from a funnel-web's, so follow the official advice.

Are huntsman spiders dangerous?

The Australian Museum describes huntsman spiders as "large, hairy and not dangerous". They're long-legged, usually brownish-grey, with a leg span of up to 15 cm, and they often come into houses and cars, sometimes behind the sun visor (Australian Museum).

The same page says a female guarding her egg sac can be aggressive and will rear up if provoked. Leave them alone.

What does a white-tailed spider look like?

White-tailed spiders have a dark reddish to grey, cigar-shaped body and dark orange-brown banded legs. Females are about 18 mm and males about 12 mm. They're often seen in and around houses in summer and autumn, where they hunt black house spiders (Australian Museum).

On bites, the Australian Museum says a study of over 100 verified bites found no ulceration, and that "skin ulceration is not a common outcome of White-tailed Spider bite." Any bite, rash or skin reaction is a question for a doctor or pharmacist, not a pest controller.

What does a St Andrew's Cross spider look like?

The female St Andrew's Cross has a silvery front section and a silver, yellow, red and black banded abdomen. The giveaway is the web: zig-zag ribbons of bluish-white silk forming a full or partial cross through the middle of an orb web. Males are smaller, brown and cream (Australian Museum).

Not sure what spider it is?

Treat it as dangerous and keep away. If it's safe to do from a distance, take a photo and send me a photo for a likely ID by email. A photo check gives a likely answer only. It can't tell you a spider is safe. If there's any chance it's a funnel-web, mouse spider or redback, don't go near it to take the photo.

Does pest control cover spiders?

Yes. My general pest treatment covers spiders, along with large cockroaches and ants. I spray the eaves, around the windows and doors, the exterior walls and fence line, garages and sheds, clotheslines and under outdoor furniture, and along the skirting boards inside, and I dust the subfloor and roof space.

General pest treatments come with a 6-month guarantee covering cockroaches, spiders and ants. I don't claim a spray keeps any particular spider away. More on my spider control page.

Common questions

What are the dangerous spiders around Sydney homes?
Funnel-webs, mouse spiders (often mistaken for funnel-webs) and female redbacks. Keep away, keep kids and pets clear, and call 000 if anyone is bitten.

How do I tell a mouse spider from a funnel-web?
Often you can't by eye. The Australian Museum says they're often confused and that first aid for a mouse spider bite is the same as for a funnel-web.

What does a redback look like?
The female is black, sometimes brownish, about 1 cm, with an orange-red stripe on top and an hourglass mark underneath, according to the Australian Museum.

Are huntsman spiders dangerous?
The Australian Museum describes them as large, hairy and not dangerous, though a female guarding eggs can rear up if provoked. Leave them alone.

Can a photo tell me if a spider is safe?
No. A photo check gives a likely ID only. If there's any chance it's dangerous, keep away.

Does a general pest treatment cover spiders?
Yes, along with large cockroaches and ants, from $270 within 7 km of Earlwood.

Sources

• Australian Museum, Sydney Funnel-web Spider (updated 13 January 2025)
• Australian Museum, Mouse spiders (updated 9 July 2024)
• Australian Museum, Redback Spider (updated 1 June 2026)
• Australian Museum, Huntsman spiders (updated 9 April 2026)
• Australian Museum, White-tailed Spider (updated 25 July 2022)
• Australian Museum, St Andrew's Cross Spider (updated 9 July 2024)
• NSW Poisons Information Centre, first aid