So You Think You've Seen a Spooktacular Spider in Melbourne?
Sharing your digs with eight-legged critters is all part of the Aussie experience, especially in a city as awesome as Melbourne. But before you grab the fly swatter (cricket bat? boomerang?), let's take a lighthearted look at some of the creepy crawlies you might come across in your Melbournian adventures.
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| What Spiders Are In Melbourne |
The Flatmates You Didn't Ask For (But Secretly Kind of Appreciate)
The Redback: The OG Aussie Roommate. This iconic arachnid is easily identified by the lady's bright red back (and the dude's, well, not-so-bright lack thereof). Redbacks are venomous, so respect their space, but they're also beneficial bug-munchers, so maybe think of them as rent-paying freeloaders with a taste for mozzies.
The Huntsman: Your Personal Huntsman (Spider). These colossal dudes can be the size of dinner plates (okay, maybe salad plates), but despite their terrifying appearance, they're actually quite shy and more interested in scooping up cockroaches than scaring the bejesus out of you. Just don't mistake them for eight-legged hats (a rookie mistake).
The White-Tail Spider: The Mysterious Melbournian. These little guys are shrouded in a bit of mystery, with some debate about their venom. Best to be cautious, but an encounter with a white-tail is unlikely to turn your life into a real-life Spider-Man origin story (unless you trip over them and develop a sudden love of tights).
The Orb-Weaver: The Architect of the Afternoon. You've probably seen these majestic weavers spinning their elaborate webs in gardens and parks. They're artists, really, and their webs are intricate fly-catching masterpieces. Just try not to get tangled up in their artistic expression on your way to the barbie.
Helpful Hint: Not All Spiders Are Created Equal
While most Melbourne spiders are content with cohabitating in peace, it's important to remember the exception: the mighty Funnel-web. These burrowers are highly venomous, so if you see one, call in a professional. No need to be a hero (unless you're dressed as a superhero with impressive spider-wrangling skills).
QuickTip: Reading carefully once is better than rushing twice.
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Frequently Asked Arachnid Inquiries:
How to identify a spider? If you're not sure what you're looking at, a quick Google search with a picture is your best bet. There are also some great online spider identification guides.
QuickTip: Use posts like this as quick references.
How to get a spider out of the house? The trusty glass and cardboard trick is a classic. Gently coax the spider onto the cardboard, then slide it outside. If you're not comfortable with close encounters of the eight-legged kind, call a pest control professional.
QuickTip: Break reading into digestible chunks.
How to avoid spiders? Keep your house clean and clutter-free (spiders love to hide in nooks and crannies). Seal up any cracks or holes in walls or windows.
QuickTip: Stop scrolling, read carefully here.
How to live peacefully with spiders? Respect their space, and they'll likely respect yours. They're actually great at keeping pest populations down.
How to become a spider whisperer? This one might require some serious dedication (and maybe a slightly irrational love of spiders). But hey, if Dr. Doolittle could talk to the animals, maybe you can become the "Spider-man Whisperer" of Melbourne!
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