Bites and stings

Australia has some of the most venomous snakes in the world. All snake bites or any potential snakebites are treated as life-threatening and need emergency medical treatment. 

If the person collapses or stops breathing, start CPR. 

First aid

• Call 000
• Remove victim from further danger
• Keep them still
• Apply a pressure bandage
• Do not run, panic or apply a tight tourniquet
• Do not wash, suck or cut the bite site
• Do not attempt to catch the snake

Read more about snake bites

In Australia the only spiders to cause harm to humans are the Red back spider and the Funnel web spider.

Funnel web spider

This spider is large, black and its bite can be life-threatening. There are a number of  black spiders that look similar so if in doubt, treat a bite as if it were from a funnel web spider.

First aid

• Call 000  
• Remove person from danger  
• Keep the person still
• Apply a pressure bandage around the bite and entire limb
• Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for more information 

A bite from a funnel web spider will usually cause severe pain, nausea, sweating and vomiting, difficulty breathing and muscle twitching.

Red back spider

Bites from this spider are venomous but not life-threatening.

First aid

• Wash the area and keep it clean
• DO NOT apply a pressure bandage
• Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26
• Visit the nearest hospital if symptoms are severe

The red back spider is found throughout Australia. 

• The female red back spider has a red or orange stripe on its back  
• The male is very small usually with no stripe
• A red back spider bite may result in pain and redness at the bite site
• Other symptoms can include sweating, nausea, vomiting and headaches

Routine use of anti-venom is no longer recommended as research shows anti-venom has a low response rate.

Read more about spider bites

Blue bottles

These soft, jelly-like animals have long, thin tentacles. Stings from blue bottles leave a painful, wavy line on the skin.

First aid

• Seek help from a lifeguard
• Remove any tentacles carefully using salt water, not fresh water
• Immerse in hot water for 90 minutes for pain relief
• DO NOT apply a pressure bandage
• Seek medical advice if pain continues

Box jellyfish and Irukandji 

These are tropical jellyfish found in the waters of Northern Australia. Their stings are extremely dangerous and can cause death. 

If the person is unconscious or stops breathing start CPR.

First aid

• Remove the victim out of water  
• Call 000 if stung by a box jellyfish
• Seek immediate help from a lifeguard
• Remove any tentacles carefully using sea water
• Pour vinegar over affected areas
• DO NOT apply a pressure bandage 

Read more about jellyfish stings

Blue-ringed octopus bites and cone snail stings can be life-threatening, as they can cause paralysis and stop breathing.

First aid

• Call 000
• Seek immediate help from a lifeguard
• Apply a pressure bandage to the entire affected limb
• If the person is unconscious or stops breathing start CPR.

Read more about marine bites and stings

Stings from venomous fish can be severe and life-threatening.

First aid

• Flush the wound with water and remove debris  
• Immerse in hot water (45 degrees for a maximum duration of 90 mins)
• Apply pressure if wound is bleeding but do not apply a pressure bandage to site
• Seek medical help if pain does not lessen in 1 hour or if a spike/spine from the species is under the skin  
• Call the Poisons Information Centre for further advice on 13 11 26

To protect yourself and your children, wear thick soled shoes when walking on reefs. Do not pick up rocks as they could be stonefish.

Read more about marine bites and stings

Bee, wasp and ant stings may cause swelling and pain. Some people may have an allergic reaction to the sting, which may causing a rash, vomiting, collapse or difficulty in breathing. Seek medical attention immediately if an allergic reaction occurs.

First aid

• Remove the sting by pulling it out or scraping it away with a credit card or fingernail. Do not use tweezers
• Wash the area with water and keep it clean and dry
• Apply ice or cool running water to reduce swelling and relieve pain (do NOT apply ice to the eye)
• Seek medical attention straight away if an allergic reaction occurs
• If the person collapses or stops breathing, call 000 and start CPR
• Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for further advice

Read more about treating bee, wasp and ant stings

See Healthdirect guide on Australian stingers

Scorpions and centipedes and caterpillars

In Australia, scorpions, centipedes, and caterpillars are not venomous. However, they can cause a painful bite or sting. 

First aid

• Wash the area with water and keep the area clean and dry.  
• Remove caterpillar fine hairs with sticky tape
• Apply ice or cool running water to reduce swelling and relieve pain
• DO NOT apply ice to the eye
• Use pain relief as needed
• Call the poisons information centre on 13 11 26 or seek medical attention if pain persists  

Read more about scorpions and centipedes

Millipedes and stink bug spray

First aid

• If sprayed in the eye, hold open and rinse with running water for 30mins then attend a hospital eye examination
• If sprayed on the skin, wash well with soap and water
• Apply an ice pack onto skin if needed
• Watch for blistering, broken skin or infection
• Millipedes may cause brown staining on the skin. Wash well with soap and water, staining will resolve by itself.
• Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for more information

Read more about children and harmful insects

Ticks are parasites that feed on animal and human blood. They can latch onto people via long grass or stems.

If the person has an allergy reaction, trouble breathing or collapses, call 000.

First aid

• DO NOT pull on the tick or try to remove with tweezers - this will cause it to inject more toxins.
• Kill the tick safely with an ether spray (eg. Wart-off spray) or permethrin cream. These can bought at a pharmacy.
• For people with a known tick allergy, this should be done in a hospital emergency department.
• Wait 10 minutes after treatment for the tick to die, then carefully brush off.
• Wash the affected area with soap and warm water and keep it clean and dry.
• Seek advice from the Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 if any symptoms occur

Read more about tick bites