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Beware of nasty bites

Tiny little spiders can produce a nasty bite in Australia. Redback spiders are possibly the most famous, or infamous. Their bite can cause pain and does have the potential to be deadly. But the last fatality was in 1955, the year before the anti venom became widely available. Redbacks are very uncommon, they tend to be most common at the edge of nature areas, so they're usually little threat to the average student. 

However the white tale spider is quite common in city gardens and is known for its love of linen sheets. Taken inside after washing, the spider remains on the sheet and can cause a nasty bite when squeezed by accident. If you suspect that you've been bitten, better to seek treatment than wait to see if it gets worse.

 

 

 

 

 

Flies are anoying icons

Although the fly doesn't appear on any flags, it is an Australian Icon. The fly is blamed for the way Australians speaks and for influencing Australian fashion. In summer, some areas are swarmed by flies and jokingly one could say that the Australian accent is a product of Australians breathing through their noses for fear that flies might fly into their mouths. Flies have also inspired `a wave` known as the "Australian Salute". Especially in remote areas, farmers use the salute to chase away flies.
 
Finally: flies have also had a big influence on the shape of Australian fashion leading to the `Cork Hat, keeping the flies out of one face`. Nowadays `Aeroguard` (insect repellent) replaces the head. Final tip: March flies are the big brothers of the common fly and can cause a nasty sting. They are also known to transfer diseases, but not to humans. You find them in the bush, but also on the beaches, especially in autumn, hence the name `March` flies.
 

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