We lived in Hawkes Bay for two years and I don't think we saw a single white tail. Then we lived in Oz and shared our garden with a few orb weavers (who made webs as large as me overnight and then took them down again the next day) and the odd huntsman, but had no 'incidents'.
Since arriving in the Waikato I've seen them all over. My house is fair riddled- I even found one crawling up my seat belt heading for my cleavage as I was driving the other day- my oldest daughter has been bitten by one (not here- in Hawkes Bay ironically) producing a large red area and small ulcer for a few days and I found the cat chasing one up the hall as we headed for bed last night.
So I'm thinking for the first time of getting our home sprayed. Anyone have any recommendations or advice? I'm a bit reluctant because it seems counter intuitive to spray the house with chemicals to make it safe :uhoh
Here's the rogue if you've not yet seen one:
http://www.kiwicare.co.nz/img/conten...itetail-s3.jpg