Hungry Critters Pest Control | Businesses

Hungry Critters Pest Control

Phone: +61 405 471 903

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Businesses
• Local service
• Home improvement
• Pest control service
• At-home service
• House inspector

25.01.2022 This is a great read! There is so much misinformation spread surrounding these spiders. Thanks Ben Wombat Shoard for this incredibly informative post!

25.01.2022 Did you know? If you plant rosemary in your garden, it can help ward off mosquitos during the warmer months! Read more useful tips for keeping the mozzies away during the summertime: https://bit.ly/34at0xj

24.01.2022 SPIDER SPOTLIGHT Funnel web Spiders (Atracidae family). The Australian Funnel web spiders belong to the Atracidae family, which is endemic to eastern Australi...a. The range of funnel webs is shown in an image from Gray’s 2010 revision of Funnel web spiders (link provided below) and includes QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS and SA. The Atracidae family currently consists of 35 described species across three genera (plural of genus). The most well-known genus of funnel web is Atrax. It is mainly famous due to the Sydney funnel web (Atrax robustus), though two other currently described species can be found in NSW, ACT and slightly Vic. Atrax robustus (Sydney funnel web) ranges in the Sydney basin, at about a 160km radius from Sydney. Atrax sutherlandi (Sutherlands Funnel web) can be found along the south coast of NSW and into eastern Victoria. Atrax yorkamainorum (York Mains funnel web) range around the ACT and south from there towards Victoria but not quite into Victoria. The Illawarra genus only has one described species, Illawarra wisharti (Wisharts funnel web), found in a small area in the Illawarra region of NSW. The Hadronyche genus is the most wide spread genus in the family, found across the full range of funnel web. The remaining 31 described species belong to this genus. Funnel webs live in a range of burrows, including under rocks, logs, bark in trees (particularly paper bark), burrowed into gaps in trees and rotting logs. The style of burrow can help determine which genus made the burrow. Most Funnel web burrows will have trip lines radiating relatively neatly from the central burrow. Some species may even have multiple entrances. The males and females vary significantly in size, with the adult size varying significantly between the different species. In general, at a glance the males have a smaller abdomen and longer legs. The males of the Atrax genus have a tibial/mating spur (spine) on the second pair of legs, making them identifiable from the right angle. The Hadronyche males may have a bend in the second pair of legs but they will not have a spur. In terms of their general appearance, funnel webs have a shiny carapace, varying slightly in their colouration. They are most commonly black or dark brown in colour. Red and blue morphs can occasionally be found and they may even appear to be green just after a moult. Like other Mygalomorphs, there is a significant difference between males and females when it comes to life expectancy. The females can live for a few decades, where males mature in about 4 to 7 years and then die, usually within 12 months. Male funnel webs wander of a night during the warmer months in search of the females, which remain in their burrow almost indefinitely. This is when most people will come across the spiders, when males that have accidentally wandered inside. The Mygalomorphae infraorder, or more commonly ancient or primitive spiders can be identified by the common features of: Chelicerae (bulky part of the fangs) projecting forward from the face, rather than being neatly tucked underneath. fangs oriented more or less parallel to each other, rather than opposing like the pinching fangs of other groups Two pairs of book lungs, meaning that moisture is harder to retain. Funnel webs carry a famously toxic venom. The males are about 6 to 7 times more toxic than the corresponding females of the same species. There is a little bit of debate but on paper, it seems that the male Sydney Funnel web (Atrax robustus) is the most venomous spider in the world. A total of thirteen deaths were attributed to funnel web spider prior to the availability of the antivenin in the early 1980s. Since then, no deaths have been reported. There has been a case where death occurred less than one hour after a bite. This was a complicated case that involved a bite to the chest. The antivenom program is run from the Australian Reptile Park (linked below). The antivenom program uses venom from the male Atrax robustus species (Sydney funnel web) and also now involves a breeding program for the females. The drop off locations will take spiders that are suspected to be funnel webs, though they may not be the right species or may not even be funnel webs at all. The staff at the Reptile Park will identify them to ensure consistency in their program. The weird thing about their neurotoxic venom is that it is only severely impacts primates. Cats and dogs have displayed only mild, short term reactions to the venom. This is thought to be a bit of a biological accident. Their venom is also incredibly effective at killing their prey, especially millipedes. Millipedes when threatened can produce a chemical that is similar to cyanide. By killing millipedes quickly, the spider minimises the chance of poisoning. The main identifying features of a funnel web can be a bit tricky with some very similar looking spiders around The eye arrangement is quite tightly packed, consisting of two separated pairs of eyes above a row of four eyes in a shape like this: Oo oO OOOO The two central eyes in the top row are smaller and white in colour. The spinnerets (stick out from the back) are usually visible from above, though this may not be the case if they are tucked up. They are also not the only spiders with long spinnerets, so this should not be used as the only identifying marker They have a glossy appearance (usually black/dark brown, sometimes red, blue or green) The shape of the chelicerae (bulky part of the fangs) can be a strong indicator too. The shape is generally more rounded than Wishbone spiders, metallic tube spiders and trapdoors but not as bulky looking as those of mouse spiders. In a threat posture, it is likely that a funnel web will expel drops of venom on their fangs. There are other Mygalomorphs that do this but it may help distinguish it from mouse spider, which rarely expel venom in a threat posture. Funnel webs are portrayed almost as the bogey man of spiders. The truth is more that they usually prefer to make their homes in bushland, where there is a low amount of human activity. Unfortunately, as humans spread, more and more bushland get closer and closer to where humans hang out. The wandering males have the added unfortunate tendency to wander into pools, where their inability to climb smooth surfaces means that they end up stuck. The go-to Funnel web revision and key for species (M.R. Gray; 2010) https://media.australian.museum//J/19162/1556_complete.pdf The Australian Reptile park antivenom program drop-off locations: https://www.reptilepark.com.au//ve/spider-drop-off-points/ Spider bite first aid: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1743343242607376/permalink/2757683761173314/

22.01.2022 At Hungry Critters Pest Control, the health and wellbeing of our customers, families and community is PARAMOUNT. That’s why - further to the Infection Control Training we completed earlier in the year - we’re now a COVID Safe Business. Thorough hand hygiene, physical distancing and safe practices are always followed to ensure we are providing our essential services to our wonderful customers in a COVID Safe manner!

11.01.2022 REMEMBER! Do not get complacent! Even if you’ve had a pest spray, you must ALWAYS be aware and cautious of these spiders! Pest management is NOT a magic wand that completely excludes all spiders from your home and property. It’s a barrier system to MANAGE the amount of spiders you have entering your home and property.

07.01.2022 With the weather warming up and humans and spiders crossing paths more and more, I thought it was time to share this again. Many thanks to the admins and moderators over at the Australian Spider Identification Page for all their hard work compiling this information!

07.01.2022 It’s that time of year again! The weather is warming up, the termite alates are swarming. Do you know the difference between ant alates and termite alates? Have you seen swarms of termite alates in or around your home? Freaked out that you have a termite problem? When was the last time you had a termite inspection? Did you know it’s recommended that you have a termite inspection at least every 12 months, sometimes at even more frequent intervals if your home is at particula...rly high risk of infestation. Don’t wait any longer! Book your inspection with Hungry Critters for peace of mind! Call Jamie on 0405 471 903 or message us on Facebook today!

04.01.2022 Let’s play another game! Anyone know what type of spider this is? : one of our lovely customers

04.01.2022 I won’t name names, but I know quite a few of our customers who lean heavily towards the American way of doing things Put down the matches, pick up the phone and call Hungry Critters Pest Control! We have very limited spaces available for our November general pest spray special offer! Message us today for more info!

01.01.2022 WHO LOVES A GOOD BARGAIN!? NEW CUSTOMERS - Book your general pest spray with Hungry Critters to be carried out in the month of November and we’ll take 10% off our normal price! RETURN CUSTOMERS - Book your general pest spray with Hungry Critters to be carried out in the month of November and because we love you so much and appreciate your continued support, you’ll receive a massive 15% off our normal price! ... HURRY! Our days are filling fast! Call Jamie on 0405 471 903 or shoot us a message on Facebook! T&C’s apply. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount.