Spider bites

Most spiders in New Zealand are harmless, but the katipo, redback and white-tailed spiders can be harmful and should be avoided.

• It’s rare for significant problems to result from a spider bite.
• Always try to capture the spider and take it with you when you seek medical help.

Katipo spiders

Female katipo spider, photo by Jess Costall / CC BY 2.0.

Bites

Because of the katipo’s increasing rarity and non-aggressive nature bites are rare.

Typical symptoms of katipo bites include pain at the bite site, which may spread to other areas, becoming more intense over the next few hours. People may also experience sweating, difficulty in breathing and abdominal cramps.

Redback spiders

Redback spider, photo byRepat / CC BY-SA 3.0.

Bites

Redbacks will only bite when disturbed or trapped in clothing, and bites are rare.

The bite feels like a sharp pain similar to a pinprick. The bite may lead to localised redness, pain and sweating. Occasionally the pain and sweating may spread and stomach pain may occur. Aches in muscles and joints, nausea and vomiting, and increased heart rate and blood pressure can result.

White-tailed spider

White-tailed spider, photo byPhil Bendle / CC BY-NC-ND 3.0.

The usual white-tailed spider bite can be painful but the initial burning feeling, swelling, redness and itchiness at the bite site usually goes and there are no long-lasting effects.

White-tailed spider bites are not considered poisonous to humans. A recent Australian study has shown no evidence linking necrotic ulcers (destroyed skin) to white-tailed spider bites.