It also helps to know that not every spider leaves a web behind. Huntsman, wolf and white-tailed spiders don't build them, so one could be living nearby without any obvious sign.
Around the house
Spiders like plenty of cover, so start with the places that are easy to overlook.
- Along window frames
- In sheltered corners
- In cracks and crevices
Sheds and storage
Sheds and storage areas are a good next stop.
- Inside sheds and garden storage areas
- In and around stored materials such as stacked pots, boxes and tools
Around the garden
The garden itself offers plenty of options, from furniture to the ground underfoot.
- Under outdoor tables, chairs and lounges
- Along fences and garden edges
- Under rocks, logs and loose bark
- In leaf litter and in burrows in lawns and garden beds
Egg sacs
Keep an eye out for egg sacs while you're looking. Spiders place them under cover or hang them in their webs, and a single redback web can hold up to ten of them, so finding one is a good clue there may be more spiders nearby.
Checking safely
Spiders usually only bite in self-defence, so it pays to go carefully when you reach into sheds, storage and other dark spaces. Wear shoes and thick gloves, and leave any egg sacs, or spiders you can't identify, well alone.
Keeping spiders out
A few simple changes can make your home less inviting. Flyscreens on windows and seals under doors help stop spiders wandering inside, and planting trees and bushes away from the house makes it less appealing for them to burrow close by.
Leave it to your local pest control business
If you're finding plenty of spiders, or you'd simply rather not go searching yourself, your local pest control business is ready to help. A licensed technician can inspect your property, identify what's living there and treat it, so you can get back to enjoying your garden.
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