Huntsman spider and insect influx set to hit Queensland homes as perfect conditions persist

Queenslanders in the state’s southeast are being bombarded by one of the worst creep-crawly seasons experts have seen.

Queenslanders are being told to prepare for an invasion of extra-large spiders as high temperatures and humidity create the perfect conditions for a creep-crawly “growth spurt”.

Arachnologist at the Queensland Museum, Dr Jeremy Wilson said more spiders, especially huntsmans, will be larger and more common this summer due to ideal weather conditions in the last two years.

“Huntsman spiders don’t live very long, they live for one or two years, and they tend to mature around this time of year,” Dr Wilson said.

“Having lots of adult huntsmans out at the moment reflects on a good breeding season, that means the last year or two has provided the perfect weather conditions for breeding and prey abundance.”

Dr Wilson said Queenslanders can expect not only more huntsmans over the coming months, but larger ones as hot, wet summers see insect populations boom.

Huntsman spiders are more conspicuous than most spiders Queenslanders are likely to find in their homes. Picture: Jay Town

“Because there has been more prey around those huntsmans will be even larger than normal, these years of perfect conditions have resulted in bigger specimens,” he said.

While spiders, cockroaches and termites are the leading culprits when it comes to unwanted house guests, pest control experts are warning residents all bugs are on the move.

Owner of Northern Pest Services, Raneet Verma said the number of pest infestations in houses has been rapidly increasing in the past weeks.

“Spiders, cockroaches and ants are a big problem at the moment, I’m seeing 50 per cent more of these infestations than what I have seen in previous years,” Mr Verma said.

“There are a lot of daddy long legs and huntsmans inside houses at the moment, as well as American cockroaches infesting kitchens, especially dishwashers.”

Technical manager at Termitrust Pest Control, John Graham said the mild start to spring has caught many Queenslanders off-guard when it comes to pest management.

“The rain and the milder temperatures did slow everything down in October, but things have really picked up now for south east Queensland,” Mr Graham said.

“People have been off their guard, and tightening spending a little bit when it comes to household expenses. Now we are seeing quite a lot of people concerned.

“Our general inquiries over the last 10 days are up 20 per cent and we are expecting this to be a busy season, busier than we forecast,” he said.

Mr Graham said the best way to combat an insect infestation is to act quickly, even if only a few spiders or cockroaches can been seen.

“If you see bugs they are not going to slow down, those you are seeing now will become 10s and 20s in just a few weeks,” he said.

“These are the ultimate conditions for a growth spurt, lots of eggs will be hatching.”

Mr Verma also urged people to act sooner rather than later.

“If there is an invasion of one pest, because of the mess they leave around, there will likely be more,” he said.