Simone

I just want to add something, to make my point a bit clearer:

I think everyone should be well aware of the dangers of spiders, and what to do if bitten, BUT, if that was Mike's point he would've posted links etc, and not used the phrase 'Be afraid, be very afraid' and not used a very old example etc.

Good one Houdini!
Here's some more:

Bites and stings - First aid
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/b...ings_first_aid

A site specially for kids:
Spider bites: http://www.cyh.com/cyh/kids/main.htm...c_id=1534&l1=7
Stings and bites: http://www.cyh.com/cyh/kids/main.htm...c_id=1444&l1=4

Spiders:
http://www.amonline.net.au/spiders/

The few ones considered dangerous:
Funnelweb
http://www.amonline.net.au/spiders/d...lweb/index.htm
Not all species are known to be dangerous, but several are renowned for their highly toxic and fast acting venom. The male of Atrax robustus, the Sydney Funnel-web Spider, is probably responsible for all recorded deaths (13) and many medically serious bites. ..., although no deaths have been recorded since the introduction of an antivenom in 1981, it remains an icon of fear and fascination for Sydneysiders.
Funnelwebs are only found on the east coast
http://www.amonline.net.au/spiders/d...pups/index.htm

Redback:
http://www.amonline.net.au/spiders/d...back/index.htm
Redbacks live all over Australia but are less common in colder regions like Tasmania. They thrive in populated areas. Hundreds of bites are reported each year but less than 30 percent require antivenom treatment. Before an antivenom was available, Redback bites caused about a dozen known deaths.

Mousespider
http://www.amonline.net.au/spiders/d...ouse/index.htm
They are often confused with funnel-web spiders. While mouse spider bites are not common, a few have caused serious effects in humans, with symptoms similar to funnel-web spider envenomation. Fortunately, mouse spiders are not usually abundant in heavily populated urban areas.
(they look yuck though, and the only place they are not found is the WA coast from about Monkey Mia to Broome. Never seen one btw)

White tails:
http://www.amonline.net.au/spiders/d...iled/index.htm
Some species are common in urban areas and are often seen in houses. White-tailed spiders usually wander at night, hunting and eating other spiders.
... Their bites have been controversially and often incorrectly implicated in causing ulceration in humans.
...The available evidence suggests that skin ulceration is a rare rather than a common outcome of white-tailed spider bite. ...
They are found all over Australia and have been introduced into New Zealand. The two most common species live in southern and eastern Australia.
(never heard of them in WA)

First aid - points to remember:
http://www.amonline.net.au/spiders/d...s/firstaid.htm
..... But in general, spider venoms cause us no more than mild local pain and inflammation.
......
Always seek medical attention for any suspected funnel-web, mouse or Redback Spider bite and for any other bite if symptoms develop or persist.

MikeStanton

Don't worry about the mouse spider - it's usually eaten by the wolf spider!!! (just kidding)

Yes, of course I was being a bit naughty with the "Be afraid..." bit at the end.

However, the "if he meant to be helpful, he would have posted links" comment was crap. I gave the title of the book and I'm sure most people can search for further info if they want to.

But, on a serious note, do be careful. You're much more likely to encounter one of these nasties than a snake or shark.

Nobody has been killed by a spider in recent years. But I do know quite a few people that have been bitten - especially by red-backs - and it's bloody painful. And it's not as uncommon as people like to think.

bondipom

Watch out for the drop bears and bunyips.

jayr

Never (ok, well not now) been worried about spiders, i've only seen one redback so far (thats not to say they are uncommon though) and still waiting to see a snake.

I did however get stung by what I believe are referred to as 'bluebottles'. This was one week after my 6 year old got stung and he was a bit worried about going back in the water. The thing stung right across my hand and I had to pretend nothing had happened so I wouldn't frighten the little one. (OUCH!)

http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/bluebottle.htm

aussie73

Eight-legged freaks, Are you talking about spiders or Tasmanians.

karawara88

Even with our travels in the old van and staying in some dodgy campsites, we only saw one redback and a one big bugger, no idea what it was, but I didnt' bother to hang around and introduce myself.

The only freaky think we come across is spider webs, out in the bush, no idea what they use to make them but they are like elastic and you cant get the stuff off you. But you only walk into one! All in all I have been dissapointed in the the lack of seeing some nastys. Even cockroaches are starting to look cute.

As nicholls clan and Simone82
said education is best - Some interesting reading ...

The Xenophobe's Guide to the Aussies

The Xenophobe's Guide to the Kiwis

Take Care!: Poisonous Australian Animals

Dangerous Creatures of Australia (Green Guide)

For all books on Australia take a look at http://www.movingdownunder.co.uk/files/books.php



For newcomers to the forum some interesting reads .........

Getting into Australia: The Complete Immigration Guide to Gaining Your Visa

Living & Working In Australia

Getting A Job In Australia

Live and Work in Australia & New Zealand

Culture Shock! Australia: A Guide to Customs and Etiquette

Living and Working in Australia - David Hampshire

aussie73

If you were to tell Australians they have a choice of getting rid of all the spiders in Australia or all the flies, l bet 99% would choose
to get rid of all the flies.

NickyC

Too right! Although I'd vote to keep the spiders and flies but get rid of the cockroaches.

In over 20 years I've seen one red-back and one snake - and I've been bushwalking, camping and spent heaps of time gardening. Spider bites nowadays are uncommon enough to make the news and no-one has died from a funnel-web bite since 1980 when the anti-venin was developed. If you live in the suburbs spiders do not affect your daily life in the slightest - it's only English migrants who are neurotic about them.

In almost all cases, the few people who've been bitten were gardening at the time so just be sure to wear gloves and shoes whilst gardening.

ScuntoBris

Loads of great info there for those of us who are still neurotic (me and the hubbie been here for coming upto 1 month and only really me that's neurotic)!!! It's good to see that the thread achieved something useful.

I agree that knowledge of these things is the best policy my point was that the original posting was unbalanced. When we first arrived we stayed with family who have lived here all their lives and they also seem unbothered by these creatures.

Anyway, it's not just the venomous ones that are scary, had a huntsman in the bedroom on our second night in Oz and that was frightening!

I too have only heard of people getting spider bites whilst gardening, its the ants that hurt, was bitten in about 6 places by one ant the other week, and they bloody hurt!!