That giant spider on your wall is probably a huntsman. Here is the truth about whether they are dangerous in Melbourne - and how to stop them coming inside.
Are Huntsman Spiders Dangerous?
Despite their alarming size, huntsman spiders are not considered dangerous to humans. They are not aggressive, their venom is mild, and a bite - which is rare - usually causes only minor local pain and swelling. The real problem with huntsmen in Melbourne is the fright they give people, especially when one appears on a wall, ceiling or behind a sun visor in the car.
How to Recognise a Huntsman
- Size: Large, with a leg span up to 15cm
- Colour: Grey to brown, often flattened so they can slip into narrow gaps
- Movement: Fast and sideways, like a crab
- Where: On walls, behind picture frames, in roof voids, garages and sheds
Why They Come Inside
Huntsman spiders move indoors hunting for insects and shelter, especially as Melbourne nights cool down. Where there are plenty of moths, flies and cockroaches, huntsmen will follow. Controlling the insects they feed on is one of the most effective ways to reduce huntsman numbers.
How to Keep Huntsman Spiders Out
- Seal gaps around windows, doors, weep holes and rooflines
- Fit door seals and flyscreens, and keep them in good repair
- Reduce outdoor lighting that attracts insects, or switch to warm LED globes
- Keep gardens, woodpiles and clutter away from external walls
- Have a professional perimeter spider treatment applied each spring
Should You Kill or Relocate Them?
Huntsmen are actually useful - they eat cockroaches and other pests. If a single spider wanders in, gently relocating it outside is fine. But if you are seeing them regularly, it usually signals an underlying insect problem worth treating.
Professional Spider Control in Melbourne
Pest Eraze treats huntsman and other spiders across Melbourne with safe, long-lasting perimeter protection. Call 0416 528 547 to keep them outside where they belong.
Are Huntsman Spiders Actually Dangerous?
Despite their large, intimidating size, huntsman spiders are not considered dangerous to humans - their bite, while it can happen if handled, is not medically significant compared to Melbourne's genuinely venomous spiders like redbacks. Most huntsman sightings are simply a startling encounter rather than a safety risk.
Cost of Keeping Them Out
A residual spider treatment around entry points and eaves, starting from around $179, is the most effective way to reduce huntsman spiders coming indoors, since it targets the gaps and cracks they use to enter rather than requiring you to catch and release individual spiders as they appear.
