Australians issued warning amid breeding season for deadly spider

A warning has been issued for thousands of people as breeding season for a dangerous animal places Aussies in danger.

Sydney has been given a spider warning. Picture: James Gourley/The Sunday Telegraph

Australians have been issue a warning to exercise “extreme caution” as the beginning of one of the country’s most dangerous spiders enter breeding season.

People living across Greater Sydney should keep their wits about them both in and around their homes with male Funnel-web spiders wandering the region in search of a mate.

The Australian Reptile Park said mating season increased the possibility of the spiders ending up in homes and gardens, increasing the risk of a human encounter.

“Funnel-web breeding season is here and all the rain this year has brought about humid conditions where Funnel-web spiders thrive,” director of the Australian Reptile Park, Liz Gabriel said.

People in Sydney have been told to exercise extreme caution due to Funnel-web spiders. Picture: Supplied/ARP IMAGES

“It’s important that Australians are across the correct first aid and know how to safely catch the spiders so that we can continue to extract their venom and save lives. We rely on public donations of Funnel-web spiders to build up our milking individuals.”

The reptile park was the only supplier of funnel-web spider venom to make lifesaving antivenom and encouraged Australians to support its program by dropping spiders and their eggs off.

“With needing male Funnel-web spiders for their venom, along with their short lifespan and needing 150 spiders to produce one vial of antivenom, we need more spiders every single year,” Mrs Gabriel said.

Funnel-web spiders have a lifespan of about 12 months after they reach maturity, giving the reptile park a small window of opportunity to extract venom.

Anyone who encountered a spider or egg sac was encouraged to collect it.

Each egg sac could contain between 50-150 spiderlings, which would make a generous contribution to the park’s venom program.

The Sydney funnel-web preferred to make its home in sheltered, shady spots, which were always cool and humid.

Sydney residents should keep their eyes out for the spiders and their sacs. Picture: James Gourley/The Sunday Telegraph

Backyards containing dense leaf matter, scrap material or that backed onto bushland were the “perfect environment” for them to burrow and breed.

“When found inside homes, Sydney Funnel-web spiders prefer cool, damp places like the laundry, garage or in shoes left out on the ground. It is best to ensure you are not leaving washing and clothing on the floors, if you leave your shoes outside – make sure you check them first before putting your foot in blindly as shoes can be the perfect little burrow for Funnel-web spiders. Pool filters should also be checked and cleaned regularly,” Mrs Gabriel said.

If a member of the public was to be bitten by a Funnel-web spiders, or any spider they may think is a Funnel-web spider, it is important to stay as calm and apply the correct first aid with a pressure immobilisation bandage and get to hospital as fast as you possibly can.

Since the inception of the park’s venom program in 1981, there has not been a single death from a Funnel-web spider bite.

There are a multitude of participating spider drop off locations across the Greater Sydney Region which can be searched via the Australian Reptile Park website.