ponyrama

I was just cleaning out the spare room (I've got guests coming from UK in a few weeks) and I found this spider crouching behind a set of drawers that were under the window. I did the usual cover with glass, slide piece of paper under, sit her on kitchen worktop and examine closey thing.......... then I freaked out. Her back was moving with hundreds (okay maybe about 20) of tiny spiders (her babies presumably)???

So google says that means she must be a wolf spider? Apparently they are the only Australian spider that does this. I thought wolf spiders were bigger -shes only about 3 cms in total body length. Anyway, I took loads of photos and this is one of her being released back into the garden.

Whaddya reckon? Wolf spider or nay?

LINZI

Sorry cannot help if a wolf spider or not but any kind of spider has me running for the hills

I have just had the house sprayed inside/outside as there is to many spiders about here and plus i have my mother here in december and if she sees any she will freak

I did have one spider in the house just after we arrived here but it was pretty small in Mackay that i killed and that had a lot of babys running for dear life after killing it

Deancm_MKII

Yes, it is a Wolf spider. Seen plenty of them with young on their backs. Catch it and put it is a glass a spray some mortein on it. You will find that 20 or so young spiderlings will turn into hundreds!

ponyrama

Awwww noooo! She hasn't done me any harm. She has been let go to wander free in the garden with a stern warning not to set foot in the house again (unless she wipes her feet).

Bermudashorts

I haven't seen a single spider since I got here four months ago. I thought the place was teeming with them.

Kooky.

Just one more good reason to live in Sydney, BS.

ponyrama

Just dont go digging around in any leaf mulch or in the undergrowth at the bottom of the garden. Or you might meet the worst one of all!

NELBHOY

They're behind you. WAAAAAHH

Bermudashorts

Is that the hunter spider?

I just know I have tempted fate by saying I have not spotted one yet. I expect I will see them everywhere now.

Kooky.

Hell no. There's a reason we bought a 5th floor apartment

sbrock11

actually got a shiver when i seen this picture!! hope i dont run into them

ponyrama

Nah. Huntsmans tend to hang around on walls and in your wardrobe. Sydney Funnel Webs like dark moist mouldy places and are found all over Sydney - even in the built up areas. In fact especially in the built up areas. They are found from the Lower Hunter, down to the Shoalhaven River and west as far as Lithgow. Reported to be one of the deadliest spiders in the world. But hey, dont let that bother you - just check your washing carefully if you leave it out overnight and it rains!

ponyrama

She wont bother you. Wolf spiders are non aggressive and their venom is not deadly. Hence why she was put back in the garden and not introduced to Mr Mortein.

This here is a picture of Pauline - my resident Huntsman. She eats cockroaches and nasty spiders like white tips - so she can stay!

NELBHOY

You're weird

scottishcelts

Oh freak - I just couldn't!

I know they are good for other house pests, but I just couldn't sleep knowing that thing was on the prowl. <<<<<<<<<shivers>>>>>>>>>>>

- and now has the heebie jeebies.