Spider Season in Victoria: Which Species Are Common and How to Keep Them Away

If you live anywhere in Victoria, you know the feeling:

You step out onto the deck in the evening and walk straight through a web.
There’s a spider on the letterbox.
Another one on the wheelie bin.
The kids won’t use the swing set until you’ve “checked it”.

Welcome to spider season.

For homeowners and businesses in Sunbury and across Melbourne, spiders are part of everyday life – especially in the warmer months. But that doesn’t mean you have to put up with webs across every doorway, spiders on play equipment and webs on every outdoor table.

This guide will walk you through:

• When “spider season” really kicks in across Victoria
• The common spider types you’re likely to see around Melbourne homes and businesses (at a high level – no DIY ID heroics)
• Practical, realistic ways to reduce spiders and webs around your property
• When it makes sense to bring in professional spider control, especially for families, businesses and those with strong fears

Quick Answer – When Is Spider Season in Victoria and How Do I Keep Them Away?

When is spider season in Victoria?
Spiders can be seen all year, but they’re far more active and obvious in the warmer months, roughly from spring through to early autumn, especially around lights, outdoor areas and gardens.

How do I keep spiders away from my home?

• Regularly remove webs from eaves, windows and outdoor furniture
• Keep garden beds trimmed, especially near paths and doors
• Reduce clutter in sheds, under decks and around the yard
• Manage insects and other pests, which are spider food
• Consider professional spider treatments inside and outside if they’re everywhere or you’re concerned for kids, pets or customers

If you’re in or around Sunbury and Melbourne, Pest and Snakes can help with spider control and broader pest management that keeps numbers down.

1. What Do People Mean by “Spider Season” in Victoria?

“Spider season” isn’t a formal scientific term – it’s how people describe that time of year when spiders, webs and creepy-crawly encounters seem to suddenly multiply overnight.

1.1 Weather and Spider Activity

In Victoria, spider activity typically ramps up:

• As temperatures rise in spring
• Through summer, when insect activity is high
• Often into early autumn, depending on weather

Warmer conditions mean:

• Spiders and their prey (insects) are more active
• Web-builders set up shop near lights and warm surfaces
• People spend more time outdoors, so you notice spiders more

In cooler months, spiders are still around, but:

• Many are less active or tucked away
• Windows and doors are closed more often
• You simply cross paths with them less

1.2 Why Sunbury & Melbourne’s Outer Suburbs Feel It More

Places like Sunbury, Diggers Rest, Kurunjang, Melton, Gisborne and Romsey often have:

• Larger blocks with gardens, trees and shrubs
• Proximity to open land, reserves and farmland
• More outdoor living spaces – decks, pergolas, BBQs, sheds

More vegetation + more insects + more outdoor living = more spider activity right where you spend time.

2. Common Spider Types Around Melbourne Homes (High-Level Overview)

Important: This section is general only.
It’s not meant for DIY medical decisions or “certain” identification.
If you’re bitten by a spider and feel unwell, seek medical advice.

There are many spider species in Victoria; here we’ll just talk about a few broad types people commonly notice around homes and businesses.

2.1 Web-Building Spiders Around Eaves and Lights

These are the spiders that:

• Build visible webs near lights, doors, windows and along fences
• Sit in or near the centre of their web waiting for flying insects
• Are most noticeable at night when the light attracts insects

You’ll often see:

• Webs across paths and between posts
• Sticky webs under eaves and over outdoor furniture
• Spiders that stay relatively still once their web is in place

From a pest-control point of view, these spiders:

• Can be reduced significantly with good cleaning and targeted treatments
• Are often the ones people complain about when they say “there are webs everywhere”

2.2 Ground-Hunting Spiders in Gardens and Yards

Some spiders are more likely to:

• Hunt on the ground rather than build large webs
• Shelter under rocks, logs, garden edging and leaf litter
• Move quickly if disturbed

They might:

• Turn up when you move pots or logs
• Be seen scuttling across paths at night
• Occasionally come indoors, especially through gaps and doors

Good garden maintenance and yard tidiness can lower the chances of bumping into these spiders in high-use areas.

2.3 Spiders Indoors

Inside, spiders typically:

• Settle in quiet corners, behind furniture and along ceilings
• Build small webs or simply rest in hidden spots
• Are often discovered during cleaning or when moving rarely-used items

While some people happily leave indoor spiders alone, others find them:

• Stressful, especially around kids’ bedrooms
• Embarrassing in commercial premises with clients or customers

Indoor spider numbers can be managed with:

• Regular cleaning and web removal
• Checking and sealing some obvious entry points
• Professional internal treatments where appropriate

3. Where Spiders Love to Live Around Your Property

Spiders go where there is:

• Food (insects)
• Shelter (protected places to rest and build webs)
• Low disturbance

Once you understand their favourite spots, you can better target your prevention efforts.

3.1 Outdoor “Spider Zones”

Common outdoor spider hotspots:

• Eaves and fascia boards
• Around windows and door frames
• Light fixtures on walls, fences and in gardens
• Around letterboxes and fences
• Wheelie bins, especially if stored near walls
• Pergolas, decks and balcony railings
• Outdoor furniture, BBQs, play equipment (swings, trampolines, cubbies)

These areas are often near:

• Lights that attract insects
• Surfaces that stay relatively warm at night
• Places people walk through or put their hands – which is why spiders can feel so “in your face”

3.2 Sheds, Garages and Under-House Areas

Sheds and garages are spider heaven when they offer:

• Stacks of boxes and stored items that are rarely moved
• Dark corners and gaps behind shelving
• Little airflow and minimal cleaning

Under-house spaces and subfloors can be similar:

• Dark, sheltered environments
• Opportunities for spiders to hunt or rest

3.3 Inside the Home

Indoors, spiders tend to choose:

• High corners in rooms
• Behind and under heavy furniture that doesn’t move often
• Window corners where insects sometimes gather
• Corners of ceilings near light fittings

If you rarely dust ceilings or move big furniture, it can become prime real estate for indoor spiders.

4. Simple Ways to Make Your Property Less Attractive to Spiders

You can’t remove every spider – and that’s not realistic or necessary. But you can significantly reduce how many you cross paths with, especially in key living and working areas.

4.1 Regular Web Removal – Your First, Best Habit

One of the most effective, low-tech spider control tools is still:

A broom. Or a long-handled duster.

Regularly:

• Sweep webs from eaves, doorways and windows
• Clear webs from around outdoor lights and railings
• Knock down webs on outdoor furniture, play equipment and BBQs

This does two things:

1. Removes spiders and webs directly.
2. Encourages spiders to move elsewhere if their webs are constantly disturbed.

If you leave webs to build up, you’re effectively saying: “Yes, this is a great place for you, set up long-term.”

4.2 Garden and Yard Maintenance

Spiders in themselves aren’t bad – they help control insect populations. But you probably want fewer of them right up against your main living zones.

Practical steps:

• Keep shrubs and plants trimmed back from walls, doors and paths
• Avoid dense, tangled vegetation leaning directly against the house
• Manage leaf litter and debris around high-traffic zones
• Create a bit of space between garden beds and play areas or outdoor dining zones

In suburbs like Sunbury, Gisborne, Romsey and the Macedon Ranges, properties often have generous gardens. A tidy garden still looks lush – it just doesn’t provide continuous hiding spots along every path.

4.3 Reduce Outdoor Clutter

Sheds and yard corners often become:

• Storage zones for spare bricks, timber, old furniture, equipment
• Long-term “I’ll deal with that later” piles

That clutter can shelter:

• Spiders
• Other insects
• Rodents (which attract other pests, including snakes)

Try to:

• Store items neatly and, where possible, off the ground
• Avoid dense piles pressed up tight against walls and fences
• Periodically move stored items so nothing stays undisturbed for years

4.4 Manage Lights and Insects

Light attracts insects. Insects attract spiders. You can’t operate in total darkness, but you can make small, smart adjustments:

• Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights when not in use
• Consider motion-sensor lights instead of permanently-on ones in some areas
• Keep windows and doors with internal lights closed or screened in “insect season”

Managing insects with general pest control also indirectly helps lower spider food sources.

5. When DIY Isn’t Enough – Time for Professional Spider Control

At some point, many households and businesses hit a limit with DIY cleaning and web removal.

5.1 Signs You May Need a Professional Treatment

You might want to call Pest and Snakes if:

• Webs constantly reappear quickly despite regular cleaning
• Spiders are present all around doorways, windows and outdoor living spaces
• You’re worried about spiders around children’s play areas (cubbies, trampolines, swings)
• You or someone in the household has a strong fear of spiders that’s affecting daily comfort
• You run a business (e.g. childcare centre, café, gym, office, accommodation) where webs and spiders are a visual or safety concern

Professional treatments can create a protective barrier on key surfaces and target common resting and web-building areas.

5.2 What a Professional Spider Treatment Involves (High-Level)

A typical spider treatment from Pest and Snakes may include:

• Inspection of the property to identify key spider hotspots
• External treatment of eaves, walls, window and door surrounds, fences and other structures
• Internal treatment (where requested and appropriate), focusing on corners, skirtings and known spider zones
• Advice on what to do before and after treatment (e.g. staying off treated surfaces until dry, when to resume web-cleaning)

We always work in line with product labels, safety guidelines and best practice, and talk through any special concerns you may have (children, pets, sensitive environments).

6. How Often Might Spider Treatments Be Needed?

There’s no fixed schedule that suits everyone; it depends heavily on:

• Your location
• Your property type and surroundings
• How sensitive you are to spiders

6.1 Higher-Risk / Higher-Activity Properties

You may want more regular spider checks or treatments if:

• You live close to bushland, watercourses or dense vegetation
• You have a lot of outdoor lighting and entertaining spaces
• Your property tends to attract insects (e.g. near waterways, heavily vegetated blocks)
• You run a business where appearance and comfort are crucial – such as hospitality or childcare

6.2 Combining Treatments with Seasonal Maintenance

Many people find it useful to:

• Schedule spider treatments in spring or early summer, before spider season peaks
• Combine this with general pest control (for other insects that spiders feed on)
• Continue regular web removal and garden maintenance as a team effort

A professional treatment isn’t a “force field” that lasts forever, but used alongside good housekeeping, it can dramatically reduce the number of unwelcome spider encounters.

7. Spiders, Families and Fear – A Reality Check

For many people, especially kids (and quite a few adults!), spiders are more than just a pest – they trigger genuine anxiety.

7.1 It’s Okay to Take It Seriously

It’s common to hear:

• “They’re more scared of you than you are of them.”
• “Just ignore them, they eat mozzies.”

While both can be true, they’re not always helpful if:

• Your child refuses to sleep in a room with a spider in the corner
• You feel anxious walking through your own hallway or garage
• Staff at your business feel uncomfortable in certain areas

Part of our job is to:

• Reduce the spider pressure so everyday life is easier
• Provide calm, factual information so people feel more in control
• Help households and businesses find a comfortable balance between “spiders are part of nature” and “I don’t want them everywhere I look”

7.2 Teaching Kids Safe Spider Habits

For families in Melbourne and Sunbury, a few simple rules can go a long way:

• Don’t touch or poke spiders
• Don’t stick hands into holes, cracks or dark spaces where you can’t see clearly
• Ask an adult to check play equipment and outdoor furniture before use if webs are present
• If you see a spider in your room, tell an adult rather than trying to move it yourself

These habits help your kids feel more confident and reduce accidental close encounters.

8. Spider Control for Businesses – First Impressions Matter

Spiders don’t care whether a building is a home or a business. But for business owners, the stakes can feel higher.

8.1 Where Spiders Cause Problems in Commercial Settings

Spider webs and visible spiders can create issues in:

• Childcare centres and schools (parent and staff concerns)
• Cafés, restaurants and outdoor dining areas (appearance and comfort)
• Gyms, clinics and offices (professional presentation)
• Warehouses and showrooms (webs on products, racks and signage)

Even if spiders themselves are not doing significant damage, customers judge what they see.

8.2 Integrating Spider Control into Your Maintenance Plan

Commercial spider control can be combined with:

• Routine pest & rodent management
• Regular cleaning and maintenance schedules
• Seasonal garden and grounds upkeep

Working with a local provider like Pest and Snakes means:

• We understand your local area and typical pest patterns
• We can schedule treatments to minimise disruption to business hours
• We can provide documentation of work done where needed for internal or external requirements

9. FAQ – Spider Season & Spider Control in Victoria

9.1 When exactly is spider season in Victoria?

Spiders are present year-round, but they’re most visible and active:

• From spring (as weather warms)
• Through summer
• Into early autumn, depending on conditions

You’ll notice them more when:

• Windows and doors are open
• Outdoor lights are used at night
• You and your family spend more time outside

9.2 How can I keep spiders away from my house naturally?

You can’t completely exclude spiders naturally, but you can:

• Regularly remove webs
• Trim plants back from the house and paths
• Reduce clutter around the yard and in sheds
• Manage indoor and outdoor lighting and insect presence

These steps significantly reduce how attractive your property is to spiders.

9.3 Are spiders in Victoria dangerous?

Some spiders in Australia can be medically significant, but many are harmless or cause only minor issues.

This blog doesn’t provide medical advice; if you suspect you’ve been bitten and feel unwell:

• Seek medical attention
• Follow the advice of health professionals

From a pest control point of view, we focus on reducing spider numbers and webs around homes and businesses to minimise stress and contact.

9.4 Will a spider treatment get rid of every single spider?

No treatment can guarantee the permanent removal of every spider – especially in outdoor environments.

What a professional treatment can do is:

• Substantially reduce spiders and webs in and around treated areas
• Make your home or business much more comfortable and low-pressure
• Work in tandem with cleaning and maintenance for best results

9.5 How long do spider treatments last?

How long a treatment stays effective depends on:

• Weather exposure (rain, sun, dust)
• How much disturbance treated surfaces get
• The overall level of pest pressure in your area

Your technician can discuss expected longevity based on your specific property and recommend if/when follow-ups might be helpful.

10. Final Thoughts – Living with Spiders, Without Letting Them Take Over

Spiders are a normal part of life in Victoria, especially in suburbs with gardens, parks and open spaces like Sunbury, Gisborne, Romsey, Diggers Rest, Kurunjang, Melton and the Macedon Ranges.

You don’t need to aim for a completely spider-free world – that’s not realistic. What you can do is:

• Cut down on webs and numbers where you live, work and play
• Make your property less attractive to spiders through tidy gardens, reduced clutter, and regular web removal
• Use professional spider treatments to bring things back under control when they’re overwhelming

Done well, spider control is about comfort, safety and peace of mind, not just spraying for the sake of it.

Need Help with Spiders at Your Sunbury or Melbourne Property?

If you’re:

• Walking through webs every time you go out the back door
• Worried about spiders around children’s play equipment
• Running a business where webs and spiders aren’t a good look
• Just tired of feeling on edge every summer

…you don’t have to handle it alone.

Pest and Snakes can help homes and businesses in Sunbury, Diggers Rest, Kurunjang, Melton, Gisborne, Romsey, Wildwood, Macedon Ranges and across Melbourne with:

• Professional spider treatments inside and out
• General pest control to reduce insect food sources
• Practical, friendly advice on making your property naturally less spider-friendly

Enjoy your home and outdoor spaces again – and let a local expert handle the eight-legged side of summer.