Venomous spider sighting?
I’m in the Inner West of Sydney and today I spotted a spider in my kitchen that was around 10 cm wide. Before I could react, it vanished. How likely is it that it’s venomous and could potentially bite me if I wander to the bathroom half-asleep?
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It’s understandable to be concerned about finding a large spider in your home! In Sydney, there are a few common species of spiders, but most of them are not dangerous. The ones you might encounter include funnel-web spiders and redback spiders, both of which can be venomous. However, they are quite reclusive and generally avoid human interaction.
A spider that is about 10 cm in width could be a Sydney funnel-web, which is indeed venomous, but bites are quite rare, especially since these spiders usually prefer to stay hidden. If it was a common house spider, it’s likely not dangerous at all.
To minimize the chances of encountering a spider at night, you might consider keeping your kitchen and other areas tidy and well-lit. If you’re still worried, you could reach out to a pest control professional for identification and advice.
In short, while it’s possible, it’s not very likely that a spider would bite you if you walk past it. Most of them will try to retreat rather than confront you. If you do see it again, taking care to safely capture it and release it outside can help ease your mind.