White-tail spider bite: facts and Perth management
White-tail spiders are indoor hunters, most active on summer evenings. They hunt other spiders. A bite causes burning pain and local swelling. The long-standing claim that they cause severe skin ulceration has not been supported by Australian clinical research. Practical management is straightforward.
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Published 12 October 2026 · Reading time 7 minutes · By DJ Pest
What is a white-tail spider and how to identify one
White-tailed spiders have a dark reddish to grey, cigar-shaped body with dark orange-brown banded legs. They have a white spot at the tip of their abdomen. Males are smaller, around 12 mm, whilst females reach about 18 mm in body length.
White-tails do not build webs. They are vagrant hunters that wander hunting for other spiders.
Where white-tail spiders are found in Perth homes
White-tailed spiders are vagrant hunters that do not build webs. They wander about at night, seeking out other spiders which are their preferred food. They hunt curtain-web spiders, daddy-long-legs spiders, black house spiders and redbacks.
In the wild they live beneath bark and rocks, in leaf litter, logs and detritus in bush areas. During summer and autumn they are often seen in and around houses where they find sheltered nooks and crannies and plenty of their favoured black house spider prey.
Why white-tail spiders are more common in Perth spring and summer
White-tailed spiders are often seen in and around houses during summer and autumn. They are most active at night when they wander about hunting for other spiders. During these months they find sheltered nooks and crannies indoors and plenty of their favoured prey, black house spiders. This is when you are most likely to encounter one in bedding or sheltered indoor spots.
What a white-tail spider bite looks like and feels like
A white-tail spider bite causes initial burning pain at the bite site, followed by local swelling and itchiness. Occasionally, there are unconfirmed reports of weals, blistering or local ulceration, but these are not well-documented in verified bites.
The long-running claim that white-tail spider bites cause severe skin ulceration (a condition called necrotising arachnidism) has been controversial for decades. A prospective study of over 100 verified white-tail spider bites in Australia found not a single case of ulceration. The available evidence suggests skin ulceration is not a common outcome of white-tail bite. Sensational media reporting of supposed severe cases has given these spiders a worse reputation than their bites warrant. If you develop signs of local infection, see your doctor.
What you can do yourself to reduce white-tail encounters
Clear away the webs of black house spiders and other web-building spiders that white-tails hunt for. This removes both the food source and the shelter that other spiders provide. Pay particular attention to corners and window frames, and other areas where prey spiders cluster.
White-tailed spiders around your house can be controlled by catching and removing any that you see.
Decluttering storage areas, wardrobes and shelves also helps, as it removes harbourage sites where other spiders (and white-tails hunting them) shelter. Keep bedding tucked in and check before getting into bed, particularly in summer and autumn when encounters are most common.
What not to do after a white-tail spider bite
Do not apply a pressure bandage to a white-tail bite, as this is not indicated for white-tail envenomation. Wash the bite site with soap and water, apply antiseptic cream and see your doctor if signs of local infection develop. If the problem is widespread, a professional assessment is more effective than attempting your own spider management.
When to call a professional spider management service
If white-tail sightings are frequent, or if you have an ongoing spider problem despite removing clutter and cleaning, professional management is worth considering. A professional service removes existing webs, treats harbourage areas where spiders hide and harbour their prey, and checks retic boxes for redback hotspots and entry points. The goal is to reduce both the food source (prey spiders) and the sheltered nooks where white-tails hunt them.
Treatment is carried out by, or under the direct supervision of, a technician holding a WA pest management technician's licence under the Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011. A professional treatment report records what was treated, what product was used, the re-entry period and any follow-up needed. Every retic box and hotspot is checked and photographed, with details of products applied and application method. We look before we spray, which means inspecting all potential harbourage areas first.
Text your suburb and what you are seeing to 0468 170 107 for a written price. Visit our spider management page for more detail on how we treat spiders in Perth.
What spider treatment costs
Spider treatment in Perth's northern suburbs falls into two categories: stand-alone spider management, or spider management included in a general pest treatment. Typical range for a stand-alone spider treatment is $220 to $300 for a standard three-bedroom home in Perth's northern suburbs, itemised in writing after we have seen it. This includes external web and harbourage treatment and retic box check. See our pest control investment guide for typical prices across all pests.
If spider management is included as part of a general pest treatment (covering cockroaches, ants, silverfish and other common indoor pests), the typical range for a standard three-bedroom home in Perth's northern suburbs is $250 to $350, itemised in writing after we have seen it. This includes the spider management with a six-month re-treatment promise, terms at djpest.com.au/warranty. Every quote shows the re-treatment period, and you receive a treatment record on completion.
Frequently asked questions
Are white-tail spiders dangerous in Perth?
A bite causes local pain, swelling and itchiness. The claim that they cause severe skin ulcers has not been supported by Australian clinical research: a prospective study of over 100 verified bites found no ulceration. Redback spiders are the spider of genuine medical concern in Perth. If you're dealing with multiple pests, see our guide to German cockroach management.
Can a white-tail spider kill you?
Redback and Sydney funnelweb spiders are the only two spiders that have caused deaths in Australia in the past. White-tail bites cause local pain and swelling.
What should I do if a white-tail spider bites me?
Wash the bite site and apply antiseptic. Do not apply a pressure bandage. See your doctor if signs of local infection develop.
When are white-tail spiders most active in Perth?
They are most active during summer and autumn when they are often seen in and around houses hunting for other spiders at night.
How do I prevent white-tail spiders in my home?
Catch and remove any white-tail spiders you see. Clear away the webs of black house spiders and other web-building spiders that white-tails hunt for.
Are there differences between white-tail spider species?
The two common species are Lampona cylindrata and Lampona murina. They are vagrant hunters found beneath bark and rocks, in leaf litter, logs and detritus in bush, gardens and houses.
Do huntsman spiders or daddy-long-legs spiders bite?
Huntsman spiders are large and eat cockroaches. Daddy-long-legs spiders eat other spiders.
Sources
- Australian Museum: White-tailed Spider
- Victorian Department of Health: Spiders and pest control
- HealthyWA: First aid for bites and stings
More guides on spiders
Related
- Spider Control Perth, the full service and the investment
- Every guide on spiders
- Pest management investment ranges in Perth, every service with a typical range
- What's my pest?, pick what you saw
- All pest guides
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