Photo: steve_kerr ยท CC BY 4.0
Badumna insignis
Identify a Black House Spider in Australia
Dark, sturdy house spider that builds messy lace-like webs around windows, walls, fences and crevices.
Usually low riskFirst aid / what to do now
- Move away from the spider and avoid handling it.
- Wash the bite area with soap and water.
- Use a cold pack for pain or swelling.
- Call 13 11 26 or seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, spreading, infected-looking, allergic, or you are unsure what bit you.
This site cannot diagnose a bite. In an emergency call 000. For poisoning advice in Australia call 13 11 26.
Quick identification
- Dark charcoal to black spider
- Often in a messy web with a retreat hole
- Common around windows, walls and fences
- Less glossy and less robust than funnel-webs
Danger level
Usually low risk
What to check next
Check if it sits in a permanent messy wall or window web rather than roaming from a burrow.
When to seek medical help
Seek advice for severe pain, allergic symptoms or uncertainty after any bite.
Where it is usually seen
Window frames, fences, tree trunks, walls, sheds and crevices around houses.
Similar spiders
Use the homepage identifier to compare this spider against other Australian spiders by size, colour, location and web clues.