We found a red back with a huge ball of eggs attached outside under a bag of mulch. Needless to say they are now residing in heaven. Didn't know we got them in Victoria but apparently we do.

Hey, thanks for the warning I know a farmer near where I live who four days in the last two weeks has had to kill red back spiders who were living in his hat. He wears his hat to work every day, so thy set up camp overnight when he is sleeping. He only realised the first one was there because it crawled n him while he was at work, and when he took his hat off there was a web there and everything.

So check your hat too!

And, no, the redbacks arent living in his hair - he hardly has any lol. Oh, and Im in WA so its a nationwide prob.

I LIVE JUST BEHIND THE GREAT DIVIDING RANGE IN THE START OF THE DESERT. WE GET EVERY THING HERE FROM KING BROWNS TO SCORPIANS. EVERY TIME YOU GO TO SIT ON A OUTSIDE FURNITURE YOU CHECK IT FOR REDBACKS. WHEN YOU WALK OUR PROPERTY YOU ALWAYS WEAR LONG PANT AND BOOTS. JUST 2 MONTHS AGO MY HUSBAND AND I KILLED A 6 FOOT KING BROWN JUST OUTSIDE OUR FRONT DOOR.WE HAVE A BURMESE CAT AND SHE WAS PLAYING WITH IT. LUCKILY WE STILL HAVE HER. 2 DAY AGO I WAS WEEDING AND CAME ACROSS A SMALL COPPER HEAD. THE JOYS OF THE BUSH.IT KEEPS YOU ON YOUR TOES WENDY

I grew up in WA bush. The redbacks there were so much bigger than the ones here on the east coast. At first I argued they cant be redbacks, way to small, but they are. Then got told either the male or female either all the time or at certain times is just dark black all over, no red stripe, and still very poisonous. Best thing would be to check it on the 'net I guess. And the one with the white stripe is the one that eats the flesh with its poison and not a good one. Called the white tail over here and unfortunately quite common. Have found red backs in the cement between our bricks on house a couple of times too. Usually have a very untidy nest.

Those white tails, or white tip spiders are nasty indeed. I have a friend who's mum nearly lost her leg from a white tip spider bite when I was a kid. It got infected and went gangrenous. yukky stuff.

Best to just be informed and careful when in Aus - we got some of the most dangerous stuff here so it pays to look before you sit or whatever it is your doing, just to be safe.

hey I got a story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually have been bitten by a red back spider and believe me I was very frightened at how it affected me. I was gardening when one came out of the plant and bit me on the ankle. I saw it run away from my foot, so I took off my shoe and you know what to it, quick smart. Then I ran in to phone someone in the know (the pharmacist who I worked with at the time). He said go to Doc to get anti-venom. Well, the dr had none and sent me to hosp. I waited hrs in emergency, then they told me I wasn't sick enough, go home. Hrs later I was back in there, and eventually they treated me. I was given 5 anti-venom shots. Thats FIVE! before I came good! It was so freaky, I sweated the poison out. They kept me in emergency overnight, exposing me to students and the like.
I live in Perth and am frequently coming accross red backs out and at times inside. Danger zone! Top that.

i cant believe they sent you home saying you re not sick enough !!! i would have flipped it !! thats bloody pathetic!!

My partner works in advertising and has been bitten a few times when installing signs and the like. Redbacks are mostly poisonous to elderly and children. Most adults can sweat the venom out or have enough time to seek treatment. Its the kiddies and the weak you have to watch out for!

Here is some info from http://australianmuseum.net.au/Redback-Spider

"Danger to humans and first aid

Redback bites occur frequently, particularly over the summer months. More than 250 cases receive antivenom each year, with several milder envenomations probably going unreported. Only the female bite is dangerous. They can cause serious illness and have caused deaths. However, since Redback Spiders rarely leave their webs, humans are not likely to be bitten unless a body part such as a hand is put directly into the web, and because of their small jaws many bites are ineffective. The venom acts directly on the nerves, resulting in release and subsequent depletion of neurotransmitters.

Common early symptoms are pain (which can become severe), sweating (always including local sweating at bite site), muscular weakness, nausea and vomiting. Antivenom is available. No deaths have occurred since its introduction.

Apply an ice pack to the bitten area to relieve pain. Do not apply a pressure bandage (venom movement is slow and pressure worsens pain). Collect the spider for positive identification. Seek medical attention."

Heres another bit of information for you the smaller the spider the more deadly it is so the ones you see with a large back on them will make you sick still but not as much as the smaller red backs
and the males are brown

Swampy my mate, you know I am absolutley terrified of spiders. We have the small ones here on the penisular just north of Brisbane, but have spotted a couple of larger ones last summer. But being sub tropical it is an all year thing. I thought the small brown ones were not poisonous. Still to be killed though as they are spiders. Hope your fire fighting gear is also spider proof. Your other job would be even worse. Someone told me that the little geko lizards eat them and survive, is that right do you know?

well there was a famous photo going around that was taken here in WA of a dugite snake in a red back web and it was killed by the red back and it possible there is a gekko or skink that eats them