Most spiders in the Western Cape are harmless. The ones to take seriously are button spiders (widow spiders), whose bites can cause severe pain and muscle cramps, violin spiders, whose bites can cause slow-healing wounds, and sac spiders, which can cause painful local reactions. Get medical help after any suspected bite from these spiders.
Button spiders (widow spiders)
Black or brown button spiders have round, button-like bodies, often with red or orange markings. They spin untidy webs in sheltered spots such as garden walls, pots, rockeries, under outdoor furniture and in sheds. Their neurotoxic bites need prompt medical attention.
Violin spiders
Violin spiders are brownish with a violin-shaped marking on the front of the body. They hide in dark, undisturbed places such as cupboards, behind furniture and in storerooms. Their bites can cause wounds that heal slowly and should be checked by a doctor.
Sac spiders
Pale yellow to greenish sac spiders build silk retreats in folds of curtains, clothing and corners, and are often found indoors. Bites can cause painful local reactions and occasionally sores.
Harmless spiders you will see often
Rain spiders (large huntsman spiders that come inside before rain), daddy longlegs and garden orb-web spiders look alarming but are not considered dangerous and help control other insects.
How to keep spiders out of your home
- Shake out shoes, gloves and clothing left outside or in storerooms
- Clear clutter in garages, sheds and storerooms
- Fit screens and seal gaps around windows and doors
- Switch outdoor lights to yellow bulbs, which attract fewer insects
- Book a perimeter spider treatment for eaves, frames and outbuildings
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if a button spider bites me?
Stay calm, keep still, and get to a doctor or emergency unit as soon as possible. If you can, safely take a photo of the spider.
Are rain spiders dangerous?
Rain spiders are large and fast but are not considered dangerous to people.
Does spider treatment kill all spiders?
Perimeter treatments greatly reduce spider numbers around treated areas for several months, but spiders will still occasionally wander in from gardens.
Need help now? Cape Shield Fumigation offers spider control across Cape Town and the Western Cape. Call or WhatsApp 066 575 0079.