this post was submitted on 19 Oct 2023
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Hi, I found this guy on my bike mirror this morning. What kind of spider is this? Is it dangerous? How can I remove it safely? What should I do to prevent it from coming again?

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 11 months ago

Well the good news is it’s neither a Redback nor a Funnel Web Spider, so it’s extremely unlikely to have a serious effect if you’re bitten. I can’t tell exactly what it is, but it’s not a deadly spider. You can use a stick and ice-cream container to get it off and reposition the spider in your yard. If you want to prevent spiders from nesting on your bike again, use a residual crawling bug spray (you can find these at Bunnings or Colesworth) every six months or so in the affected areas. That should keep them at bay.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 11 months ago

Looks almost like a flattie, but interesting folding pattern and likely too much webs. Good news is that it is not one of the dangerous ones. The people who get bit are the people who try to kill or injure the spider. Killing spiders is unlucky anyhow. Gently help it leave with a broom or brush with a long handle. Let it escape into a plant is best, like a hedge on the side of the road.

To prevent more spiders, keep the place you keep the bike free of webs. Don't keep it in a bunch of plants, or in a place that is well lit at night; Lights and plants attract insects, and insects attract predatory spiders. Encourage spider-eating wasps (they don't sting you, they sting spiders) with a "solitary bee hotel" in your garden. Encourage birds. The grey thrush and the magpie both eat spider. Or keep a cat. Cats love taking out spiders....

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago

The way it's holding its legs makes me think some kind of long-jawed orb weaver

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

I can't ID it. I was thinking maybe it's a juvenile Orb Weaver, due to its thin, long front limbs, lighter colouration and relatively small thorax. The little spinerrets (two tooth like tail bits) are throwing me though because the Weavers don't seem to have them like that?

In any case as Instigate mentioned below, it doesn't appear to be anything super harmful. Here's a quick guide:

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

Sorry for replying to my own comment, this kinda feels like a bit of a puzzle. It could also be a juvenile huntsman which also seem to have that lighter colouring. In which case they're your pal! Huntmans (huntsmen?) are great spiders, I love having them around the house to keep other pests down.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

I think it's gav, hard to tell from that angle, might be David! One of the two for sure though.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

If you tap on the web near it with a bit of force, so that you seem dangerous, it should bail. I don't know what kind it is, so maybe a very long stick and outside...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Juvenile huntsman maybe? I only say this because huntsman feet look like they would look great with socks and this one could use four pairs.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Butt ain't thicc enough for a huntsman, reckon it's an orb weaver of some description. Harmless anyway

[–] [email protected] -2 points 11 months ago