Few spiders cause as much anxiety in New Zealand as the white-tail. Finding one in your laundry basket or tucked inside a towel is enough to make anyone jumpy. But while white-tails deserve respect, they’re also surrounded by myths that make them seem far more dangerous than they actually are. Here’s what you need to know about identifying them, responding to bites, and keeping them out of your home for good.
How to Identify a White-Tail Spider
White-tails are hunting spiders, which means they don’t build webs to catch prey. Instead, they actively roam in search of other spiders to eat. This behaviour brings them into contact with people more often than web-building species.
An adult white-tail has a dark, cigar-shaped body around 12 to 17 millimetres long. The key identifying feature is the creamy-white spot at the tip of the abdomen, though this can sometimes appear faded. Their legs are dark reddish-brown, and unlike many spiders, they have a relatively smooth, shiny appearance rather than being hairy.
You’re most likely to encounter them in bedding, towels, clothing left on the floor, shoes, and cluttered storage areas. They’re nocturnal hunters, so daytime sightings usually mean you’ve disturbed one from its hiding spot. White-tails prefer dry, sheltered environments, making wardrobes, garages, and laundries prime habitat inside the home.
What to Do If You’re Bitten
White-tail bites are painful. Most people describe an immediate burning or stinging sensation, followed by redness and swelling around the bite site. In some cases, the area becomes itchy or develops into a small ulcer that takes a week or two to heal. These symptoms, while unpleasant, are typical of many spider bites and usually resolve without medical intervention.
If you’re bitten, clean the area with soap and water, apply a cold pack to reduce swelling, and take over-the-counter pain relief if needed. Keep an eye on the bite over the following days. If you notice spreading redness, increasing pain, fever, or any signs of infection, see a doctor promptly.
The Necrosis Myth
For years, white-tail spiders have been blamed for causing severe skin necrosis, where flesh around a bite dies and creates deep, slow-healing wounds. This reputation has made them one of New Zealand’s most feared household spiders, but the scientific evidence tells a different story.
Multiple peer-reviewed studies, including a well-known Australian study that tracked over 100 confirmed white-tail bites, found no cases of necrosis. Researchers concluded that the ulcers and wounds attributed to white-tails were more likely caused by secondary bacterial infections, misdiagnosed conditions, or bites from other spiders entirely. In many cases, people assumed a white-tail was responsible without ever seeing the spider.
This doesn’t mean white-tail bites are harmless. They can be painful, and some individuals react more severely than others. But the fear of flesh-eating venom is not supported by current evidence. If a bite develops into something serious, infection is the more likely culprit, which is why keeping the wound clean matters.
How to Kill a White-Tail Spider
When you find a white-tail in your home, the instinct is to deal with it immediately. A firm shoe or rolled magazine will do the job if you can get close enough. For spiders in hard-to-reach spots, a long-reach aerosol insecticide labelled for spiders will knock them down quickly.
However, killing individual spiders only solves the immediate problem. White-tails enter homes because conditions suit them: plenty of hiding spots, a food source (other spiders), and easy access points. If you’re seeing white-tails regularly, it’s worth thinking about why they’re there rather than just eliminating them one by one.
Our spider control treatments target the broader spider population around your property, removing the prey species that attract white-tails in the first place. This approach delivers longer-lasting results than spot-killing alone.
Keeping White-Tails Out
Prevention is more effective than reaction. A few practical changes can make your home far less appealing to white-tails.
Reduce clutter in wardrobes, garages, and storage areas. White-tails love undisturbed piles of clothing, boxes, and fabric where they can hide during the day. Shake out shoes, towels, and clothing that has been sitting on the floor before use, especially during warmer months when spider activity increases.
Seal gaps around windows, doors, and where pipes enter the building. White-tails don’t need much space to squeeze through. Check weatherstripping and door sweeps, particularly on external doors leading to garages or storage areas.
Address the food source. White-tails hunt other spiders, so reducing the general spider population around your home removes their reason for being there. Regular exterior treatments around eaves, fences, window frames, and garden edges help break this cycle.
At Pest Specialists, we recommend annual or six-monthly spider treatments for homes with ongoing issues.
If white-tails have become a recurring problem in your home, a professional assessment can identify entry points and harbourage areas you might have missed. Contact us for a free quote or call 0800 737 877 to discuss your situation. We’ve been helping South Island homeowners deal with spiders since 2007, and we’re happy to advise on the best approach for your property.