Anecdotal evidence of a redback plague has been verified by arachnid specialists and pest control operators.

Amalgamated Pest Control proprietor Ron Aliotta said there had been increased redback activity in recent weeks, with many residents in Frankston and Melbourne's southern seaside suburbs reporting the spiders around their homes.

"Redback treatments are keeping us very busy at the moment, following high temperatures and humidity, which aid the spiders in their mating process," he said.

"Female redbacks are prolific breeders and can produce eggs for up to two years after mating.

"They will lay up to 10 egg sacs in a lifetime, each containing about 250 eggs, which makes them very difficult to treat in high numbers."

Easily identified by their red-striped abdomen, redbacks were often found in dark, dry areas around the house and garden, Mr Aliotta said. Popular hiding spots included the underside of children's play equipment, garden sheds, greenhouses, letterboxes, empty cans, shoes and under the lid of wheelie bins.

They could also be found around lights, which attracted their preferred diet of moths, flies, mosquitoes and other insects.

"It is common for redbacks to make their way into homes, with spiderlings frequently blown in with the breeze by their small parachute-like web," Mr Aliotta said.

While redback spiders are not aggressive and rarely leave their webs, he urged people to keep their distance. "A redback bite is very poisonous and poses a serious health risk for children and the elderly."

Anyone who receives a redback bite should apply an ice pack to the bitten area to relieve pain and seek medical attention immediately.