Brown House Spider (Steatoda) spp.: Distribution Map

The brown house or cupboard spider is a relative of the redback spider. The species Steatoda grossa is most common in Australia. Brown house spiders are quite similar in size and body shape to redbacks, but not in coloration. It is often found under furniture or in other dark places inside houses and is very common in urban gardens. Bites from this spider may cause headache, nausea and small localized skin blisters. There have been several cases of redback-like envenomations recorded. Both appeared to improve after the administration of redback spider antivenom. It is possible that some presumed redback spider bite presentations to doctors may in fact be caused by Steatoda spiders.