AUSTRALIANS ONLY PLz!!?

Show all answers

Fallen Keys

Hey Celtic,

My family and I migrated to Australia 8 years ago and in all this time I've only seen 1 red back spider and that was in the suburb of Belmont on Brisbanes bayside.

My mums friend lives out near Sunny Bank and they have a shitload of red backs, Especially on or near their pool chairs etc. If you are really worried about red backs there are pest control guys that can sort that stuff out for you.

As for snakes well, I dont want to scare you but I live about 20 odd kms from Brisbanes CBD, In a suburb called Wakerley (semi-acerage property) and I've seen quite a few snakes, Ranging from Brown snakes to Pythons, I actually found a 4 ft python wrapped around my phone once. Our neighbours a few hundred meters down the road from us has red-bellied snakes and taipans basking on her back yard, But I haven't seen those types at my house and we've lived here for about 5 years.

Also a friend of mine lives in Cleveland which is around 17 odd kms from my place and she had a snake crawl through her window whilst she was on the computer!

Well the moral to the story is, You get use to it.

P.S: Have you heard of Bull ants?

Kate K

I'm 28 years old and lived here all my life. I have NEVER seen a venomous snake or spider!

The closest (and the most common) is the whitetail - so named for it's white ****! LOL

These are yucky little buggers but a rolled up magazine or a thong (the shoe, not the undies) will soon sort them out! Also, Daddy Long Legs spiders (which are completely harmless) like to munch on them, so let them hang out in your place and they'll keep the others away.

As someone earlier mentioned - just use a surface spray around all your doors and windows and you'll be right!

If you are digging around in the garden where gardening gloves, and if you're going trekking in the bush where ankle high boots.

The spider you are most likely to come in contact with is the Huntsman Spider. These look scary as hell, but they are harmless. You can squish em or just catch them and throw them outside.

Most snakes are harmless too, however the best tactic to use if you see one is to stay still and it will slither away. Generally a snake can feel the vibrations from your footsteps and will do a runner before you ever see them. If you are trekking through the bush or walking in tall grass, stomp your feet as you walk - this should scare them away.

Finally, welcome! It's a beautiful country and we have a tonne of animals that won't kill you!!! Enjoy!

SafÃ¿re

If you're an arachnaphobe, I'd be more concerned about the Huntsmen spider. Imagine the greyhound version of a tarantula on speed. Beggars scare the living $&% outta ya.

As long as you take precautions, you won't have a worry. If you leave footwear outside, always be sure to bang it on a wall and shake out any little critters that may have taken up residence. As Australia is quite civilised (we have flushing toilets would you believe), the chances of the ol' redback on the toilet seat only occurs in camping areas and such like. The chances of a nasty sharing your AMP (first tinkle of the morning) is highly unlikely.

If you live in the urban area, the main threat of creepy crawlies in your home are Daddy Longlegs, Whitetails and Huntsmen (which ALWAYS travel in pairs!). If you live in bushland or outback, then you'll need to take more precautions. But for most urban Australians, the only time we see a redback is on a can of beer (it's a beer brand).

Don't sweat the creepy crawlies; in Brizzy, you're more likely to have cockroaches and cane toads. LOL

yaarwho

There are alot of scare stories about poisonous Australian animals, but the truth is that you can easily go your whole life over here without seeing one. (unless you set out to look for them)
As far as redback spiders are concerned, there have been no recorded deaths from redback spider bites since 1956. The only person i have ever known to be bitten by one was my ex girlfriend. (she also seemed to be accident prone) She got a fever and constant sweating for 3 days and thats it. She felt minimal pain (about the same as a bee sting) and needed no treatment except something to help her sleep through the sweating.
Don't expect to see dangerous or poisonous animals roaming the streets over here. If you are in a reasonably populated area, its no different from any residential area in any other country... except more sunshine and better beaches than most.

theblood7885

Cant help ya with the brizzy part, but im from perth.

they arn't as big of a problem as you think, very easy to live here and no-body really worries too much.
If its winter, dont worry about snakes - practically non-exixtent. im outdoors a lot and i've been taught if your walking along a track or long grass etc and you feel afraid. stomp your feet as you walk, they feel the vibration in the ground and move away from the noise. (very handy!)

as for the spiders, do practice caution. We have redbacks, whitetips (huntsmans are harmless :) just scarey looking). Only worry about redbacks in a shed, dark courners of a patio etc. they dont really come inside, arn't aggressive and have messy webs. they arn't overly common. i just flyspay or squish them - and im female :)
whitetips are common (esspecially south of the river). they live inside. Dont have webs and live in fabric. Ever since i was a child i was taught dont leave clothes on the floorm and if you do, shake them prior. a few times i flicked a tshirt and a whitetip flew out. i have been bitten and only got a small red mark, if you allergic you could die. But if your in a clean house that gets vacumed regually dont stress.
scorpions - only worry about them in outback, not very common.
sharks - not really a problem, occasionly one gets spotted but rarely gets to the beach. if scared go to a gaurded beach with lots of people. be careful of rips, farely common.
google "australian spiders/snakes etc" and see pictures. You will come accross all sort of bugs and its best to know what they are.
daddy-long-legs are everywhere, but totally harmless.
As for sleeping, i had an ant in my bed once, but thats it.

enjoy your stay, and dont let fear stop you from having an awesome time.

nellephant_1

dude go to woolies and buy yourself a 3pack of bug bombs (i buy mortein) and set em off in your house and car. they are fabo- keep the crawly buggers away for 6 months... oh and dont leave your clothes on the florr and make sure to make your bed and leave your shoes INSIDE the house.

Ultimately in oz you are bound to have at least one spider "incident" but the views are worth it and there is always always a good chemical defense.....

mmdjaajl

in my present house in Brisbane(5 years) never had a spider in the house,last house (20 years) seen about 10 in the house
i have seen a few in the garden outside but that is all

Live_For_Today

Spiders here like a hot dry humid breeding conditions and an ideal spot for that is in the Garage or car port. Small closed rooms that are dark. But natures rule is with all creatures great and small.........." You leave me alone and I'll leave you alone ". They don't set out to bite people, only if you upset them and their web or nest. So stop worrying and beside you can always use a can of surface spray to keep them away or call in an professional to spray your home.

campdog134

I can guarantee you one thing, the flies, mozzies and other insects will annoy you more than spiders.

Guess what spiders eat

I'm not saying to let dangerous spiders in your house just realize there not here to freak people out, there just another part of an ecosystem.

Just do what everyone suggests and you'll be right mate

Lucy

I have lived in Brisbane most of my life, and unless your looking for rebback spiders outside or in the garage or laundry, then your unlikly to see them. I more commonly see huntsmen spiders in the house and little harmless spiders. Mostly you will only see them outside in cracks or drains (places your unlikly to be going anyway). You should be more concerned with bull ants and mosquitos than spiders... they are not as common or scary as everyone overseas makes out (dont get me wrong.. i still HATE them).
Hope this helps!

Delta rose

Check your shoes before putting on.But you'll be right mate!

fandango1

I've been in australia for a year now and was also worried about spiders and snakes. You get used to it after a while though. They lurk in the toilet, check under the seat. Also if your shovel/spade has a hollow handle, they like to nest in there and bite when disturbed when you pick up the shovel. Also check swimming pools before jumping in, some types sit on the side of the pool and when you jump in the water washes them off the side. If you enter your shed or garage always turn on the light and check for webs hanging from the ceiling, hard to spot sometimes but if you walk into them the spider might fall on you etc.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: